2022 January 17

Daily news wrap-up

Jan/17/2022: National money transfer system __ ICU and clinic reforms __ Wine=oil __ Calls for Aliyev to apologize to France __ Turkish & Armenian historians & politicians comment diplomatic efforts __ "Krim Nash" __ Rus-Kazakh honeymoon is over __ Himnadram's housing in Artsakh __ Village drama +++
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 14-minute Monday briefing in 3559 words.

national money transfer system is being established in Armenia

Central Bank will implement the "STAK Money Transfer" system within a few months.

The goal is to make domestic and international payments without opening a bank account. In the future, the system will allow transfers to a bank account or e-wallet.

CB rep.: STAK will allow you to receive any transfer in any bank. All Armenian banks, the ArCa system, and other transfer systems will be connected to the system. STAK will connect to similar "subsystems" of other countries, including Russia's Rapid Payment System.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/297881/ https://ru.armeniasputnik.am/20220115/v-armenii-sozdaetsya-natsionalnaya-sistema-denezhnykh-perevodov--poyasnyaet-zampred-tsb-37518274.html

Armenia plans to reform clinics, ICUs, and children's medical services

Healthcare Ministry's Maternal Dept.: a taskforce was formed to begin the process. The first is outpatient services. We need to modernize the facilities and retrain specialists. This will improve the service quality and reduce the load on hospitals.

Institutions providing pediatric medical services get overloaded because of flu and other viruses. People usually rush to hospitals instead of clinics. There are days when only 15% of hospital patients end up needing hospitalization.

Besides modernizing equipment and skills, clinics should have specific standards. Their role should be preventative care and organizing home treatment in case of mild illnesses.

The financial model will change. The funding hasn't been reduced but there will be internal redistribution to prioritize funding for heavier cases.

The quality of ICU care will improve. We have a series of problems in the provinces. Outside Yerevan, only Gyumri has large ICU facilities with lots of equipment and specialists. //

Full: https://youtu.be/0xa_5kucSHQ https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073156.html

Georgian wine exports reach historic levels

Last year they exported 107 million 750ml bottles to 62 countries. That's a 16% growth from 2020.

2012: $71M

2021: $250M

57% of bottles went to Russia.

Georgia also exported 42 million 500ml bottles of brandy worth $78M. +19% from last year.

They exported 1 million bottles of Chacha (pomace brandy, strong "wine vodka") worth $2.6M, or +126%.

Altogether, they made $400M last year, +18% YoY, and +142% from 2012.

The number of exporting companies has increased from 120 to 440 over the past decade.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073188.html

jealous Pashinyan wants to develop Armenia's wine industry

The government summoned Ministers and agencies to discuss the development of this field in Armenia. Economy Minister Kerobyan presented study results. International and Armenian wine markets/trends/expected investments/challenges were analyzed. They will hold discussions with the representatives of the wine industry soon.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073193.html

update: Azerbaijan returned the Artsakh civilian who accidentally crossed the border

Berdzor resident had crossed the border on Friday, the second such incident in two days. The previous incident also ended with Azerbaijan returning a shepherd from Tegh village.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073096.html

hundreds of French officials urge Macron to demand an apology from Aliyev over comments about presidential candidate Valérie Pécresse

Details of Aliyev's tantrum speech can be found in [January 13 post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/s3ao8c/14_million_bribery_story_wcute_offshore_islands/) He complained about Russians allowing Pécresse to visit Artsakh without Baku's "permission", and threatened her with arrest.

Pécresse is a presidential candidate from The Republicans party. 242 French officials, including MPs, wrote an open letter to President Macron, urging him to demand an apology from Aliyev. "These scathing remarks cannot go unanswered. It is an open threat against the French people, the French government, and its representatives."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073125.html

Russia is concerned about OSCE's inability to visit Karabakh

Russia's OSCE rep. Lukashevich: We are concerned that the Minsk Group Co-Chairs have not yet been able to visit the region to get acquainted with the situation to outline specific measures for establishing connections between the people. We hope the visit will take place soon. //

The statement comes days after Aliyev's interview in which he called OSCE "useless" because "the conflict has been resolved".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073218.html

in case you missed

Some context for today's news. Here is an analysis of geopolitical events in the Caucasus by a group of experts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/s48vti/experts_analyze_armeniaturkey_relations_lavrovs/

president Sarkissian's adventures in UAE

He met Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Minister of International Cooperation. [Nahyan sounds Armenian 🤔]

In a rare move, Houthi rebels used drones to attack the city during Sarkissian's trip. Several people (Pakistanis and Indians) were killed near fuel tankers. The incident did not affect Sarkissian's schedule.

Sarkissian met MASDAR representative to discuss the ongoing efforts to build the second 200MW solar farm in Armenia. The final contract was recently signed for the first one (Ayg-1, launches 2025), and an agreement was reached with the government's ANIF fund last year to build the second one (Ayg-2).

During the trip, Sarkissian reached a deal for Wizz Airi Abu Dhabi to launch flights to Yerevan to "boost tourism and business ties".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073102.html https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/17/world/middleeast/uae-attack-yemen-houthi.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073117.html https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/r55rwm/news_nov292021_rurik_semyonov_new_cheap_power/ https://www.ecolur.org/en/news/officials/13267/ https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073138.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073177.html

Armenia will invitest $1.4M in "Global Connect" logistics company

Report: the State-owned ANIF fund believes that the firm, which conducts international transfers, has growth potential. New trucks with regenerators will be purchased. The firm will be able to provide specialized delivery services to large import/export firms.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073164.html

12 of 29 Kocharyan-ARF alliance members are under criminal investigation

Mostly about activities before they became MPs. Some are also accused of 2021 election fraud. Because of the criminal charges, they are not allowed to leave Armenia. The suspects complained about the inability to represent Armenia in international forums.

As a solidarity move, fellow HD alliance members decided not to join diplomatic trips either, "until criminal charges are dropped" against their peers.

... Armenian delegation has to meet Nancy Pelosi and other US Congress members soon

It's headed by parliament chief Alen Simonyan, lawmaker Hayk Konjorian, and ambassador Lilith Makunts.

From the opposition, Alen Simonyan invited PU leader Arthur Vanetsyan instead, after HD's aforementioned boycott. Vanetsyan rejected the offer after learning that he wouldn't be able to meet Nancy Pelosi.

Alen Simonyan's office responded saying only the parliament chief was invited to meet Pelosi and not the delegation as a whole.

PU Arthur Vanetsyan was recently criticized by pro-western figures for giving an interview to a Russian popular radio host and stating that Crimea belongs to Russia. "Krim nash."

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/297875/ https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31657979.html

US, NATO, and Iran finally agree on one thing: The attempts to normalize Armenia-Turkey relations are important

The special envoys held a "productive meeting" in Moscow last week. NATO, the US, and Iran encouraged the parties to continue the efforts.

Our region is tired of hostilities and negative attitudes, said Iranian MFA.

... special envoy Ruben Rubinyan spoke about the meeting with his Turkish counterpart

QP MP Rubinyan: Our stance hasn't changed. We are ready to normalize relations without preconditions.

HD MP: can you tell us when/where the agreement was reached to assign special envoys?

QP MP Rubinyan: back in 2021 Russian MFA revealed that the Armenian side had spoken with the Russian side about launching a potential process with Turkey. It was then confirmed by the MFAs of Armenia and Turkey. The agreements on the exact location were reached with the help of the Russian MFA and we agreed that it would take place in the Russian Foreign Ministry building.

ARF MP Gegham Manukyan: your trip was made -- and paid for -- based on an order signed by Parliament President. Were your negotiations on behalf of the Parliament? Did a relevant Parliamentary body discuss/authorize the trip?

Parliament deputy Pres. Arshakyan: During each negotiation, there is a delegation, the head of the delegation, funding for the delegation. All these procedures were followed through. //

ARF is concerned about possible "secret negotiations" between Armenia and Turkey. [it's about to go down baby, you know it 🍿]

QP MP Rubinyan: That's irritating. This is the first time the AM-TR normalization process begins with this level of transparency. Many presidents have held negotiations with Turkey in the past. Do you know what percentage of it was kept secret?

[Serj invited Turkish president to visit Armenia to watch soccer in 2008] The Soccer Diplomacy's public phase began under Serj. In your opinion, did the non-public part begin during Serj? No. It started under the Kocharyan administration. Question: Were there any secret processes under Robert Kocharyan and what's with the hypocrisy today?

To your question on why Parliament funded my trip: Parliament Speaker is authorized to send any MP on a work trip and cover the ticket/hotel costs. //

Rubinyan became further agitated after some ARF-Kocharyan MPs allegedly called him a Turkish agent from their seats. "I can forget my patience and kindness," he responded.

In 2017-2018 Rubinyan conducted studies within the framework of late ethnic Armenian journalist Hrank Dink Foundation's Armenia-Turkey experience exchange project at Sabanci University. His research focused on the impact of NGOs on Turkey's democratization process. This was perhaps one of the reasons he was assigned as the special envoy. It also served basis for the accusations of him being a "Turkish agent".

Deputy Parliament Speaker Arshakyan: Be careful with labeling a person a foreign agent just because he visited a country during a certain period. Look around you. You may suddenly find suspicious surnames in your ranks. This is wrong. //

In response to accusations of "secret talks", a QP MP read Kocharyan's 25 April 2005 letter to Erdogan "that was kept secret until 2011 when [Wikileaks published](https://news.am/eng/news/71946.html) it".

MP read part of the letter: Dear Prime Minister [Erdogan]. Indeed, as two neighbors, we both must work to find ways to live together in harmony. That is why, from the first day, we have extended our hand to you to establish relations, open the border, ... [Kocharyan goes on to deny Turkey's offer about using "historians" to study the genocide]. An intergovernmental commission can meet to discuss any and all outstanding issues between our two nations, with the aim of resolving them and coming to an understanding. //

Tensions in Parliament gradually grew with jabs thrown between HD/ARF and QP deputies. Parliament took a break.

... discussions around opening the border, Genocide recognition, etc.

QP MP Khachatur Sukiasyan: I believe that Turks living 200km from the border will use services in Armenia if the relations normalize. I sent a message to our medical institutes about the need to modernize their equipment now.

Our doctors are experienced. Many Turkish citizens, regardless of whether they are Turks or not, could use services in Gyumri. From Margara's direction, they could use services in Yerevan. Armenians could similarly use Turkish services.

Germany and Israel have great relations today. Turkey is much more likely to recognize the Armenian genocide after our relations improve.

Our future generations must have a powerful country and a prosperous life. There are formulas for that. We must evaluate the region and take advantage of opportunities. We must mutually respect each others' rights. Trade relations can be used as a restraining tool and contribute to the normalization of relations. The enmity should not be passed on to future generations. //

... [Turkish-Armenian MP Garo Paylan](https://factor.am/463776.html) about the efforts to establish relations:

I look forward to positive results from this process. Both sides want it. Every Turkish political party supports it. Turkey and Greece have issues but their borders are open, they have ambassadors, they trade.

Reporter: why do you think this time the efforts will be fruitful?

I think Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan have learned lessons from the 2020 war. They saw that only Russia gained leverage from it. Everyone else was defeated. Turkey did not gain what it wanted in South Caucasus.

Three years ago Turkey made aggressive efforts in the Aegean Sea, Syria, Libya, and South Caucasus. Now they are changing the foreign policy. Erdogan needs a "happy ending". Today he is viewed as a dictator incapable of bringing peace. I think he wants to prove the world otherwise.

I disagree with Armenians who are against the AM-TR normalization efforts. This is about establishing relations, not "resolving conflicts". It's about opening the borders, holding direct flights, doing trade with each other. Turkey wants to gain access to Azerbaijan, while Armenia wants roads to Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Everyone wins.

... famous Turkish historian Taner Akcam about the normalization of AM-TR relations:

Turkey will not shoot itself in the foot by bringing the issue of Genocide this time. The old obstacles no longer exist. Based on what I've read so far, I believe the negotiations will continue without conditions and the doors will open.

We've lost 30 years. We're back to square one. Opening borders will give people a great opportunity to get to know each other. This will be a new beginning. To me, it will be the most important part of this whole story. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073136.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073142.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073147.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073053.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073057.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073150.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073152.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073207.html https://factor.am/463776.html https://youtu.be/SpvRy9oV0HE https://youtu.be/Xt-nYeNhIGA?t=345 https://youtu.be/uF_s7vumyrg?t=511 https://news.am/eng/news/71946.html https://factor.am/464221.html https://factor.am/464377.html

CSTO will conduct anti-drug operations on the Afghanistan border

Zas: This is especially important in the light of recent events in Afghanistan. The operation will consist of three phases. //

CSTO member Tajikistan has a long border with Afghanistan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073070.html

Russian military bases in Armenia and elsewhere held tank exercises

1,500 tankmen trained to conduct offensive operations. They will use the skills during the Tank Biathlon competition [and Ukraine invasion MAYBE].

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073049.html

Russia-Kazakhstan honeymoon is already over

That didn't take long. Kazakh president Tokayev appointed Askar Usmarov as the Minister of Information and Social Development. The latter has a record of anti-Russian comments which many in Russia call "Russophobic".

Prominent former Russian diplomat Yevgeny Primakov urged his department not to cooperate with "Russophobic trash".

Russian space agency chief Rogozin said they won't invite Askarov to Baikonur cosmodrome, despite it being located in Kazakhstan.

Minister Askarov once referred to ethnic Russians living in ex-USSR countries as "colonizers who should be grateful that their rights are observed". Now as a minister, he struck a different tone, urging for unity and friendship. "I understand how important allied relations with Russia are for us."

Putin's spokesman said Askarov's past comments were "awkward" but vowed to cooperate as long as he behaves like a good boy.

https://www.rt.com/russia/546088-russophobe-kazakh-minister-baikonur-cosmodrome/

VIDEO: Himnadram continues to build housing in Arstakh

The construction of a new residential district on Stepanakert's Tumanyan St. is partially complete. It's for IDPs from Hadrut and Shushi. 100 families received aid last year. 300 families will enter their new homes by the end of this month.

https://youtu.be/cxccy-NL6z4?t=36 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073184.html

detention attempt leads to road rage incident against cops

Investigators report: while the police attempted to detain the former mayor of Urtsadzor on suspicion of abuse of power, his son drove his vehicle on the opposite lane, striking a police vehicle and injuring two officers.

He then got out of the vehicle and began making threats over his father's detention. The police also found a rifle with ammo in the backseat. //

Witnesses said the police officers beat the ex-mayor's son after he attacked the police vehicle. His father was apparently inside the police vehicle.

The story began after Vedi's nearby settlements joined it to form a larger settlement "to improve management efficiency and access to utility services".

As a result of the merger, 16 village mayors (including Urtsadzor's Andreasyan) lost their titles because the headquarters are now in Vedi. The village mayors became "district administrators" within their communities. Administrators report to the mayor. Their duties as administrators were terminated.

Andreasyan, a mayoral candidate, called his termination politically motivated and refused to hand over office keys, work vehicle, and mayor's stamp. Andreasyan wanted to remain in his position until the new elections in Vedi. The last election in December did not give a winner, no political party or coalition was able to cross 50%, so new elections are expected in March.

Whether the acting mayor was allowed to fire district administration is being debated. The Constitutional Court could weigh in, after giving a split decision over a similar law last year.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073089.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/229408 https://news.am/arm/news/682281.html https://www.auroranews.am/news/2022-01-17-ordus-ev-ynkeroj-tsetsy-tesankarahanvats-e-urtsadzori-nakhkin-hamaynqapet https://yerkirmedia.am/hy/article/2022/01/14/52859 https://hetq.am/hy/article/140148 https://www.aravot.am/2022/01/17/1241729/ https://www.aravot.am/2022/01/14/1241465/

Nature Ministry inspectors confiscated over 1 ton of whitefish illegally caught from Lake Sevan

There was a month-long ban on fishing during the egg season. Inspectors caught several people selling a total of 2,700 "sig" fish. Hundreds of fishing nets were found and removed from the lake.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073212.html

Saturday: 4.3M earthquake not far from Kapan

The epicenter was 12km southeast of Kapan. It was felt in the town and its surrounding villages in Syunik. The weakened wave also reached Artsakh capital Stepanakert.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073097.html

Yengoyan family gives birth to 10th child: 9 sons, 1 daughter

2.7kg Monte was born on January 5. They want another daughter so Agnessa won't be the only girl. Two of their eldest sons are 2020 war veterans. Kids clean the home. Husband Samuel helps in the kitchen.

https://youtu.be/vLgsmtnBT3A?t=10

Covid stats

4k tested. 168 infected. 46 healed. 1 death. 4594 active.

==93% of Covid patients in hospitials and ICU are unvaccinated

Unvaccinated residents account for 84% of active COVID cases in general.

over 2,700 people have been Sonic Boosted

785k have received both vaccine shots. 2.7k third shot.

WORLD MAP: see vaccination rate in each country

Burundi 0%

Armenia 24%

Moldova 25%

Georgia 30%

Azerbaijan 46%

Russia 46%

Turkey 61%

Iran 62%

USA 62$

France 74%

Spain 81%

UAE 92%

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/01/14/1072188527/for-the-36-countries-with-the-lowest-vaccination-rates-supply-isnt-the-only-issu https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073126.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073135.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073161.html

Armenian skiing championship was held in Ashotsk (northwest Armenia)

Former champion Mikael Mikaelyan crossed the 10km distance in 37:10.0. Russian Oleg Polyakov finished second. Women's champion was Katia Galsyan.

Skiing federation: One of the positive aspects of this year was that the competition was open and we had several Russian athletes taking part. Ashotsk championship's rating was the highest in our recent history. //

Champion Mikaelyan: believe me or not, this year, my priority is not the Olympic Games but the U23 World Cup. I'll spend 15 days in Beijing before the World Cup. //

This will be his second Olympic games, scheduled to start on February 4.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073095.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073111.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073116.html

Armenian athletes and coaches cast their votes in "FIFA The Best" football award

It honors the most outstanding members of the world's most popular sport. Here is how Armenians voted:

Coach Caparros: Robert Lewandowski (best player), Gianluigi Donnarumma (best goalie)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Lionel Messi (best player, debatable), Gianluigi Donnarumma (best goalie)

The elections are over. Lewandowski was declared the winner.

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073143.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073223.html https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/fifa-22-the-best-results-live-award-winners-puskas-top-goal/k90n7iciw2fp1gfc4fmn16fvb

European figure skating competition is over

Slavik Hayrapetyan finished last in the singles tournament. 🍿

Tina Garabedian / Simon Proulx-Sénécal duo finished 13th.

https://factor.am/463722.html https://factor.am/463836.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073223.html

two crazy people use a hot air balloon to fly over Mt. Aragats

Skyball pilot Barseghyan and his Russian colleague Bazhenov used a hot air balloon to fly from Gyumri to Yerevan over Mt. Aragats. At 6.1km altitude, the pilots had to use a nasal cannula to supply oxygen during the flight.

This was an experimental flight ahead of a planned world record. They made an unsuccessful attempt last year. "We are well prepared this year."

The record-breaking flight, which will last 35 hours, will take place in Russia in February. They're waiting for favorable winds.

https://www.facebook.com/nairi.barseghyan/posts/5139308122768255 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073168.html

Garni Temple is on list of the world's best monuments built during the Roman Empire

The top-50 list was published by Belgian Le Vif Weekend journal. It covers architectural monuments from 754 BC - 476 AD period.

Garni Temple was listed as 37th. Rome's Colosseum was 1st.

Garni Temple is "the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union". Built by king Trdat I in the first century AD as a temple to the sun god Mihr, it is the best-known symbol of pre-Christian Armenia.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1073134.html

Kanye West threatens Kim Kardashian's lover in a new song, complains about not being able to see his kids

Kanye's new GF Julia Fox has no problem with him "threatening" physical violence against Kardashian's new BF Pete Davidson in his new song “My Life Was Never Eazy.”

>“Obviously she hopes this doesn’t cause more drama for Ye, but he’s an artist and this is how he chooses to express himself and she can’t judge that,”

Just days after allegedly punching a ~~fan~~ paparazzi, Kanye West rapped, “God saved me from that crash just [so I can beat Pete Davidson’s ass](https://youtu.be/gWtlBredOZQ?t=146).” [link contains non-NSFW animated blood]

When asked about why he purchased a house next to Kardashian's after their divorce, Kanye said, "Nothing is gonna keep me from my children." He then ranted about Kardashian's security not allowing him to see the kids because Kim's lover was there:

>“Don’t play with me. Don’t play with my children. And ain’t no security that will get between me and my children, and you ain’t gunna gaslight me. You ain’t gunna run this narrative on me.”

Kardashian got upset with Kanye's "false claim":

>[Loverboy Pete] has yet to be introduced to Kim’s kids, and it’s widely known that whenever he visits her in LA, he stays at a hotel in Beverly Hills

Kanye [uploaded a video](https://youtu.be/K-SwTyUf7KI) while driving in which he complained about Kardashian not inviting him to their daughter's b-day party and not even sharing the address.

He managed to find the location with the help of fellow rapper Travis Scott but the security didn't let him in. Kylie Jenner allegedly intervened to ket him in.

News piece requested by readers to track Kanye's gradual downfall and radicalization.

https://pagesix.com/2022/01/14/julia-fox-isnt-judging-kanye-west-for-threatening-pete-davidson/ https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kanye-west-why-bought-house-202959339.html https://theblast.com/160892/kim-kardashian-is-fuming-over-kanye-wests-recent-interview/ https://pagesix.com/2022/01/15/kim-kardashian-is-angry-at-kanye-wests-tantrum-over-kids/ https://youtu.be/K-SwTyUf7KI

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/s6gc0i/jan172022_national_money_transfer_system_icu_and/