2022 April 27

Daily news wrap-up

Your daily news digest from Armenia. Wednesday, Apr/27/2022.
by ar_david_hh

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14 minutes. 3490 words.

interview with military expert Vova Vartanov (VOMA)

Reporter: The war in Ukraine began two months ago.

Vartanov: It's a big lesson. We're observing and making modifications to our VOMA training. The biggest lesson is that an armed population is more efficient than an army. We have sources, including from Ukraine, telling me that Ukraine's regular army surrenders a lot more easily. Look at Mariupol. Who is surrendering there? It's the marines and the army. The nationalist Azov battalion, on the other hand, is fighting to the end, thanks to extensive preparation and patriotism.

They've been hoarding all sorts of things since 2014 in those 3-7 stories of the AzovStal factory. They even have a saltwater filtration machine to survive a blockade. They have a mini-hospital, they knew there could be a problem with evacuation. Patriotism alone isn't enough. You need preparation.

Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) play an important role. In Armenia, we call it ashkharazor. Half a year ago Ukraine adopted the law on TDF and they launched preparations, very poorly, highly unmotivated. Nevertheless, some work was done.

They gave weapons to 25,000 TDF in Kyiv alone. The process revealed that they lagged during the preparatory phase, just like us. Good work was done in some areas. The areas neighboring the Donetsk region worked very fast from the beginning.

TDF's 2-man or 3-man units are seriously slowing down the Russians. It's active defense. 3 people occupy 10 houses. They make holes in fences to move between houses and use various weapons quickly. It gives the impression that there is a larger force there, so Russia concentrates artillery there, wasting time and resources on the small units. It's mostly 3-men units (2 rifles and 1 sniper or mortar).

Reporter: Our units were larger during the war. Many soldiers were targeted with a single strike.

Vartanov: Of course. It's a different battlefield. You can't do that in an open field. You can do that only in urban areas, forests, or mountains. In Armenia we have pairs: 2, 4, 6. In Ukraine they use 3. We might incorporate 3 in VOMA.

TDF (ashkharazor) knows the terrain because they live there. They feel connected to their home and neighbors. They often fight better than better-equipped army units. By the way, they have many female TDF fighters.

Reporter: Women are excluded in Armenia.

Vartanov: But not from VOMA. I'm the biggest feminist in Armenia. A real feminist, not the լաչառ types. We are creating conditions in VOMA for women to feel equal.

Reporter: Why don't you work with the army and implement your practice there?

Vartanov: I've received various excuses for years. The army doesn't like changes. They are stuck in the Prussian/Friedrich/Alexander the Macedonian era. It's understandable because it's difficult for a person to operate surgery on themselves.

There were significant changes in the army under Vigen Sargsyan. Hopefully, now that we have a non-military MOD [Papikyan], he can make reforms because his connection with the general staff is almost nonexistent, which opens up an opportunity for the reforms to be successful. The only thing that's an issue right now is that there are problems that must be resolved first. Without those, you cannot make major reforms.

That's why we need to build our TDF and have them -- at least temporarily -- replace the regular army on the front lines.

Reporter: What's being done in the army right now?

Vartanov: What was lost is being recovered. It's insufficient, though. We need more serious modernizations. I was very happy when they purchased OSA-AK air defense units from Jordan [in 2019] but they only repaired them. They only modernized the display with a newer digitized monitor, a cosmetic change. More pressure is necessary on the military-political leadership.

We need to reform the army so it will take into account our cultural and geographical characteristics. We're lazy people and we have mountains. I'm under the impression that we've been training to fight in the swamps of Belarus and not in the Armenian mountains.

We did not have a second defense line 10-20 km behind the frontlines during the 2020 war. There was no echelon defense. You need a second line for your troops to safely retreat and take a breath without sustaining large losses. Ukraine showed that it's necessary.

Reporter: Azerbaijan and Turkey have joined their forces. This should be taken into account.

Vartanov: Don't forget that a large number of Turkish forces are stationed slightly west of Gyumri. When we entered Kelbajar in 1993, they threatened to invade Armenia. Only Russian Marshal Shaposhnikov's nuclear threats deterred them. Afterward, Turkish ex-Premier Tansut Chiller [threatented to invade Armenia](https://apnews.com/article/5517e8b73df0b7c65967745e1f639a05) on several occasions.

Reporter: About the 2016 war.

Vartanov: When Arkadiy "Komandos" Ter-Tadevosyan said that 2016 was a test to reveal our weaknesses, I disagreed with him. I said the goal was to capture favorable positions to lay the groundwork for better attacks in the future. Azeris captured the Talish hills, entered the village, then easily retreated from the village back to the hills and strengthened them. Why? It's a platsdarm, a trampoline. The same about the capture of Lele Tepe in the south.

These two trampolines gave them an advantage during the 2020 war. They had partial success in the north, and more serious in the south. I can tell you why they succeeded in the south but not in the north.

Can I use a bad word?

Reporter: No.

Vartanov: Okay. One of our former presidents gave an interview to BBC(?) years ago. He said we are neither populating nor repopulating those regions [in the south]. As a result of those policies, nobody wanted to go and live there. People preferred to live in worse conditions in Artik (Armenia) rather than in better conditions in Jabrayil and Kovsakan. Lack of settlements is one of the reasons we lost in the south.

For comparison, in the north, settlements in the Martakert district would quickly send aid to the frontlines. It was so close and fast that Turks often couldn't strike the supply chain.

But in the south, where the nearest settlement was 30 km away, they were being exposed quickly. 15 minutes is what they had to reach the destination, but they would spend an hour on the gravel road. The trucks were being destroyed. They couldn't deliver supplies and evacuate the wounded.

When a leader makes a public statement, people need to understand whether it's a message aimed at the international community or the Armenian public. People should have settled in those regions. //

[full](https://youtu.be/ygbK877KxyQ)

tags: #ukraine #armyreforms

the army tested suicide drones made in Armenia

MOD Papikyan went to observe army exercises that involved drones.

[video](https://youtu.be/VbU2E4Liilw)

anti-corruption: Serj's police chief and bodyguard are charged with laundering and embezzlement

ACC reports: Vladimir Gasparyan held various positions from 2000 to 2018. Arshak Hakobyan served as the head of his security detail. The two are charged with multiple felonies for abuse of power, illegal sponsorship, corruption, illegal enrichment, and laundering.

Gasparyan paid salaries to his wife and daughter even though they never showed up for work for years at Military Police. He paid them ֏45m ($98k).

Gasparyan committed forgery and embezzlement, allowing him to acquire properties far more expensive than what his family could afford.

He spent ֏700m ($1.5m) just to renovate his houses in [Lake Sevan] and Yerevan, and an industrial building area.

Gasparyan laundered ֏2b ($4.3m) in illegally obtained property.

Gasparyan's bodyguard Hakobyan worked in the system since 1994. He committed crimes separately as well as with the participation of Gasparyan. In 2011 Hakobyan obtained a ֏75m property in Abovyan but forged the documents to claim it was only ֏3m.

In 2012-2013, Hakobyan spent ֏120m and ֏204m on properties in Yerevan, but knowing it would raise suspicion, he registered the properties under his friend's name while de facto owning the properties.

In 2017 Hakobyan spent $100,000 on a Mercedez-Benz GLS 500 4matik. He committed forgery to hide the amount of cash he spent on the car.

Police chief Gasparyan, who was required to declare his properties, decided to hide property ownership in 2013 by conspiring with Hakobyan to forge vehicle ownership records. Hakobyan bought two Mercedes vehicles for ֏72m and ֏80m and registered them under his name.

Hakobyan was required to declare his property ownership in 2017 and 2018. He concealed a ֏7m house and the aforementioned vehicles.

Gasparyan is charged with 8 criminal counts, and Hakobyan with 5. The preliminary investigation is over. The case will be sent to court. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081714.html

tags: #VladimirGasparyan

anti-corruption: former top-enforcer and family are asked to explain how they obtained expensive properties

The former head of Compulsory Enforcement Service Mihran Poghosyan, his wife and daughter, have been invited to the prosecutor's office on May 11 to explain how they obtained their properties. It's part of an "asset forfeiture" investigation.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081760.html

conscripts will receive career orientation after army service

Government: After returning from the army, they will be offered to visit a social services office. The goal is to prevent unemployment. The program will help them understand what they want.

Hundreds of experts are being retrained to assist them. The experts will help them with education and career opportunities. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081741.html

a police vehicle accompanying Premier's motorcade struck and killed a woman on Tuesday

Chief of staff: Pashinyan called the woman's father to express condolences. The incident took place 150 meters from his vehicle, seconds before it passed. The incident wasn't visible from the car but he learned about it and asked for an ambulance to be sent.

The motorcade wasn't stopped in order not to cause additional traffic jams in nearby streets for the ambulance vehicle. It is against rules for the vehicles in the motorcade to make stops. //

The policeman who struck the pregnant woman was arrested hours later.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081790.html https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31823929.html

Alaverdi man receives an award after saving a 2yo child dumped in a river by her mother

[Context in Tuesday news.](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/ucm5e8/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_tuesday/) The mother said her new husband encouraged her to get rid of the child so they could start a new life.

Emergency Ministry had an award ceremony for its graduates today. They invited Jirayr Poghosyan to thank him for rescuing the child. "This is a vivid example of what a rescuer should look like."

Poghosyan didn't rule out becoming a professional rescuer. "My hands began shaking after I carried her. I don't know how I was able to drive the car afterward."

He hopes the child will survive. She will, according to doctors. Poghosyan was given a cash award and a note of appreciation. [This is the girl.](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/235948)

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081732.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/235940

Mexican Senator urges Senate and Government to recognize Armenian Genocide

A commemoration event dedicated to the 107th anniversary of the Genocide was held on Tuesday in the Senate. Senator Alejandra León urged her colleagues to officially recognize the events as genocide. The attendees honored the memory of the victims with a moment of silence.

Armenia's ambassador after the event: The war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabakh in 2020, which was accompanied by ethnic cleansing, showed that impunity has irreversible consequences. //

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081711.html

Artsakh Ombudsman’s report on Azerbaijan's February-March attacks is shared as an official document in the UN

The report: https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/319/20/PDF/N2231920.pdf?OpenElement

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081718.html

Parliament president Alen Simonyan hosted OSCE/ODIHR representative

Murphy: We are in Armenia for presenting the final report prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR regarding the 2021 parliamentary elections. //

They discussed topics relating to democracy, government-opposition dialogue, and interaction with parliaments of other countries.

Alen Simonyan: I'd like to draw attention to the aggressive announcements by the representatives of Azerbaijan in the OSCE PA. It is possible to reach peace in the region only through the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, which should include the clarification of the Artsakh status on the basis of the right to self-determination. //

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081765.html https://youtu.be/oX1iUQMHDCE

US is trying to push back on any unilateral actions, particularly by Azerbaijan, that would inflame the situation: Secretary Blinken

During a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee session, Blinken said the US supports a long-term political settlement with regard to Nagorno Karabakh.

Blinken: I have been very active and directly engaged with leadership in both Armenia and Azerbaijan including just as recently as a week ago phone calls with Prime Minister Pashinyan and with President Aliyev, as well as their foreign ministers, trying to help advance prospects for a long-term political settlement with regard to Nagorno Karabakh.

We have been developing and promoting various confidence-building measures. We have been trying to push back on any unilateral actions particularly by Azerbaijan that would only inflame the situation and we have a number of programs in place that are part of the budget to try to help advance more peaceful prospects. //

The US State Department has made several statements targeted at Azerbaijan since 2021. In May 2021 the State Department called for Azerbaijan to pull back forces from the Armenian border. In March 2022 the State Department called Azerbaijan's attack on Parukh village "irresponsible".

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081721.html https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/553648-state-calls-for-azerbaijan-to-pull-back-forces-from-armenia-border/ https://en.armradio.am/2022/03/25/us-calls-movement-of-azerbaijani-troops-in-artsakh-irresponsible-and-provocative/

France welcomes the latest direct phone talk between foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan

The French envoy for the EU Eastern Partnership affairs Brice Roquefeuil will travel to Baku next week to continue monitoring the talks after his April 11-14 Yerevan visit.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081761.html

there are concerns in Russia about a shifting public opinion in Armenia

Johnny Melikyan, Orbeli Research: Simultaneously to Pashinyan's recent Moscow visit, Orbeli organized a joint conference with the Russian Foreign Ministry's MGIMO University. Experts from both countries had an opportunity to discuss the processes in the region, and geopolitics in general. A cooperation memorandum was signed. We will conduct joint research and present the results to Armenian and Russian circles.

The goal is to allow Armenians to understand the processes in Russia, and vice versa, so in Russia they can understand the concerns that exist in Armenia. It's to understand what the red lines are.

In Russia, there are concerns that Armenia-Russia relations are being used as a weapon for internal political struggle in Armenia. There should be active contacts between circles to ensure that's not the case, so the relations won't be harmed.

It's visible. Our Russian colleagues have statistics about the public perception of Russia. There are serious problems. And this information is available to Russia's MFA, President, etc.

The active dialogue should take place not only at the Pashinyan-Putin level, but at a public and NGO level, too. //

https://factor.am/504594.html

parliamentary opposition factions continue to hold protests in Yerevan

18 people were detained for closing various roads, said the police. There was a march involving a 40-meter-long Artsakh flag. An opposition MP urged the parents of fallen soldiers to join the protests in Republic Square.

Robert Kocharyan's son Levon urged the residents to organize acts of disobedience in backyards, streets, villages. «Ձևավորեք դիմադրության այդ օջախներն ու ամեն կերպ աջակցեք փողոցներում ակցիաներ իրականացնող մեր ակտիվիստներին ու երիտասարդներին».

The street marches will take place regularly until May 1st. That's when the opposition plans to hold a large rally in Republic Square.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081743.html https://factor.am/504798.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/235933 https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31823877.html

the properties owned by the organizer of street protests

Public officials are required to declare their wealth. [ARF's Ishkhan Saghatelyan](https://youtu.be/QKAaEWwEXUA?t=405) has declared that he owns:

8 pieces of land,

2 apartments in Yerevan (Center and Arabkir),

2009 Range Rover,

A $17k ring,

$13k in loans,

֏56m ($121k), $92k, €28k,

100% shares of Invest Hotel Group,

100% shares of Ariana Hotel,

50% of Massaca LLC.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/235939

there are 55 journalists in jail in Azerbaijan, Russia, and Turkey

Turkey 34, Russia 17, Azerbaijan 4. Council of Europe published the [2022 report](https://rm.coe.int/platform-protection-of-journalists-annual-report-2022/1680a64fe1).

https://factor.am/504515.html

Day 3: Foreign Minister Mirzoyan met Indian Premier Modi

[Tuesday news has context.](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/ucm5e8/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_tuesday/) Modi hosted several foreign ministers yesterday. There were discussions about AM-IN relations.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081710.html

Armenian and Russian companies want to trade more meat products

The Economy Ministry organized a conference to introduce Armenian and Russian meat businesses to each other. Armenia imported 53k tons of meat last year, 12k of which came from Russia.

Armenian poultry importers discussed various issues with their Russian colleagues. They want to raise Armenia's self-sufficiency and address animal food issues.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081748.html

Russian government made economic growth predictions

Likely scenario:

2022: -8.8%

2023: +1.3%

Worse scenario:

2022: -12.4%

2023: -1.1%

The Head of Russia's Audit Chamber announced that the situation in Russia will be "very difficult" in the next 1.5-2 years.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081744.html https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Ukraine-war-Free-to-read/Ukraine-latest-Zelenskyy-says-Indonesia-invited-him-to-G-20-summit https://factor.am/504740.html

how did the international bolola affect fuel prices in Armenia?

Diesel prices have reached historic levels globally. The regulator is monitoring the international and domestic markets.

In March-April, the price of diesel rose by 25-35% in Armenia. Logistics became more expensive as well.

In Georgia, the prices rose by 40% compared to January.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081766.html https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/31/business/economy/diesel-economy-russia-ukraine.html

what is going on with Armenian dram?

It continues to strengthen against the dollar. From 520 in March to 459 today. Will the central bank lower the rates soon?

https://rate.am/

UN and Gegharkunik governor discussed development programs for low-income families

The UN has a program to help create sustainable communities in the province. The parties spoke about providing mobile housing to families, installation of lighting networks, 3-month courses for unemployed residents, youth activism, and foundation of labs in schools.

The program is also providing wheat seeds and agricultural equipment to farmers in Chambarak. Hundreds of farmers in Shoghakat will receive beehives. Female recipients will be prioritized to help increase their employment rate.

Residents under 30 will receive help with turning their ideas into business.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081705.html

road repairs begin in Sevan

16 streets will be partially repaired. It's one of several subsidized infrastructure programs. They will also renovate condo backyards in Sevan and Gagarin.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081739.html

first interdepartmental session is held to discuss the Gagarin Project

Context and video [here](https://armtimes.com/hy/article/235306) and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/s1pjk0/news_jan112022_everyone_files_taxes_everyone_gets/). It's an ambitious project to turn an area near Sevan into a tourist attraction center. The session was headed by economy minister Kerovyan on Wednesday.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081740.html

Azerbaijan will not participate in 2022 European Boxing Championship in Armenia

Armenia recently negotiated to host the tournament in Yerevan for the first time. Baku will not send athletes.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081764.html

International Jazz Day will be held in Yerevan

Renowned Armenian bands will be joined by jazz stars from around the world on April 30. The event is jointly organized by the Armenian Jazz Association and Yerevan City Hall.

The open-air concert will take place at the Cafesjian Center in Cascade.

Tony Karapetyan, a pianist and composer known in Europe and America, is invited. American singer China Moses and Andre Manoukian from France, and others.

Meanwhile, famous Armenian jazzman and keyboardist Gary Kesayan will perform a birthday concert the same day. His birthday is today.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081707.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081709.html

COVID stats

0 deaths. 17 infected. 10 healed. 2774 tested.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081715.html

Armenia and France will jointly train vision care providers

The program titled Armenian-French School for the Development of Ophthalmological Skills has launched in Gyumri, with the assistance of French, American, and Armenian foundations.

Young Armenian ophthalmologists will have a unique opportunity to receive skills in France and Armenia with long-term educational programs. This year they will attend classes by prominent experts from France and Armenia. The best students will study in France for a year, for free.

The experts will ձեռի հետ perform complex surgeries in Gyumri for free. Retinal surgeries will be performed in Gyumri for the first time with state-of-the-art technologies. Gyumri will become the second city in Armenia to have this.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081757.html

update: Armenian doctors will need to undergo mandatory certification starting 2023

We recently learned about the Healthcare Ministry's planned reforms aimed at improving the quality of care. Minister Avanetsyan said the changes go into effect starting 2023. Doctors will have 5 years to receive a certain number of credits to be certified. Many of them are being retrained at the moment.

Minister: Doctors should continue to pay attention to modern medicine and global developments after graduating. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081777.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081774.html

today in history

1914: Armenian writer Hovhannes Shiraz is born.

1965: First Artsakh war veteran and commander Tigran Sargsyan is born. He was one of the founders of the resistance.

1986: Pripyat is evacuated after a minor хлопок at Chernobyl.

1996: Armenian soldier Kyaram Sloyan is born.

1992: Armenia and 11 other ex-Soviet republics join IMF.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081697.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_27

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/udcq58/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_wednesday/