2022 March 15

Daily news wrap-up

Mar/15/2022: Yerevan to acquire trolleys & European buses; Park revamps; Yerevanian Lake cleanup & recreation __ Economic growth revised amid Ukraine war __ Medical programs __ Army's 2021 report __ FM responds to Azerbaijan's 5-point offer __ Heno's contract __ Rumors & rebuttals __ Prison reforms
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 12-minute Tuesday digest in 2985 words.

today in history

1921: avenger Soghomon Tehlirian executes Taleat Pasha, one of the organizers of the Armenian Genocide

1935: actor Leonid Yengibaryan is born

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077877.html)

Roma wants to sign a new 2-year contract with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

But he would have to agree to slash his annual salary from €4M to €2M. Less than that a TikToker makes. Poor boy.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077889.html)

an abandoned park in Yerevan's Malatia-Sebastia district will be renovated

There is a park on Sebastia St. built in 1985 to mark the 40th anniversary of the WW2 victory. Until the early 2000s, its fountains used to regularly turn on in the morning. The infrastructure has since deteriorated. During today's session, Yerevan municipality approved a plan to renovate the fountains and alleys.

... small soccer pitches and tennis courts will be built in Yerevan's districts

The city allocated $400K to build 20 mini-soccer pitches and 2 tennis courts.

... Yerevan's Aygestan-1 street will be renamed after Nikol

Nikol Aghbalyan, a public figure from the First Republic era, the editor of Horizon paper.

... Yerevan is buying 10 modern trolleybuses

The city will allocate funds this year.

... Yerevan will acquire 100 European-made buses

The funds will come from the federal government and EBRD bank. These will be 12-meter buses. Hundreds of Chinese buses were purchased recently.

... Yerevan will replace 426 more apartment complex elevators this year

Up from the planned 54.

... the capital will have a recreational area on Yerevanyan Lake

The municipality allocated $400K to clean the artificial lake as part of the first phase. It could take 5-6 years to fully clean the Yerevanyan Lake and the Hrazdan river. The new recreation area will be "on the right corner".

... Yerevan will revamp the lighting on Ashtarak Highway

$700K from this year's budget for Ashtarak Highway. Within the city, they will install 28 push-button traffic lights for pedestrians.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077953.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077990.html) [3](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/233022)

the free stroke treatment program is available in Gyumri now

Doctors have just saved a Gyumri resident's life. Gyumri becomes the second city, after Yerevan, to have this state-subsidized healthcare service.

Medical center director: We provide [anti-thrombosis] medicine and surgical services. Until now, the stroke patient had to travel to Yerevan, which is a risky thing to do. More doctors are being retrained at the moment.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077887.html

child mortality rate decreased last year

Gov't report: It was 6.8 ‰ for children under the age of 1 (an 8.1% drop), and 8.0 ‰ for those under 5 (a 2.5% drop).

The package that provides free medication to children has expanded and now covers 200k people, 10 diseases, 58 types of medicine.

... medical services for women

6.7k women underwent breast cancer screening as part of a new prevention program.

Pregnancy assistance procedures were provided to over 400 women. It has already led to 188 pregnancies and 74 births.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077896.html)

Aznavour Foundation opened a veteran rehabilitation department in Vanadzor Medical Center

Foundation co-founders Nikolas and Kristina, joined by the French ambassador and Armenia's healthcare minister, marked the opening ceremony today.

Minister: The aid provided by Aznavour Foundation during the pandemic and war is turning into a long-term rehabilitation program. The opening of this center will help develop the province.

More: [1](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/233040)

COVID stats

2170 tested. 55 infected. 237 healed. 3 deaths.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077899.html)

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan about the possibility of signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan

Reporter: Yesterday Azerbaijan publicized 5 principles of a peace treaty. Was that the document passed to Armenia?

Mirzoyan: Yes. By the way, it is noteworthy that the letter dated February 21 was passed us only on March 10.

Reporter: What's Armenia's position?

Mirzoyan: Armenia and Azerbaijan have already recognized each other's territorial integrity and accepted that they have no territorial claims towards each other, by signing the CIS agreement on 08 December 1991. The 5-point proposals do not fully reflect the whole agenda of the existing problems. It is vital for the Armenian side that the rights and freedoms of Armenians of Artsakh are clearly guaranteed, and the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is finally clarified. For us, this conflict is not a territorial issue, but a matter of rights. Our response to Azerbaijan's proposal was in line with the already mentioned position.

Reporter: Who should organize the negotiations?

Mirzoyan: OSCE, on the basis of the UN Charter, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Helsinki Final Act. //

Azerbaijan responded to Mirzoyan's interview and urged Armenia to present its own proposals, "thereby demonstrating its readiness to start substantive talks."

[1](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1077893.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1077979.html)

Foreign Minister Mirozyan's interview to Turkish media

Reporter: What would you like to express about your participation at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum?

Mirzoyan: It all began when Pashinyan and Erdogan exchanged statements, expressing readiness to launch talks. Special Representatives were appointed. They've already held 2 meetings without preconditions. I visited Antalya to reiterate our will to achieve full normalization of relations with Turkey.

Reporter: How would you evaluate the ongoing normalization process?

Mirzoyan: It's positive. I was glad to hear from my Turkish counterpart that there is a political will on their side. Amid the rapidly developing situation in the world, we should not hesitate to undertake concrete steps.

Reporter: What are the benefits of the normalization for the two peoples.

Mirzoyan: People are already benefitting from direct flights between Yerevan and Istanbul. Opening the borders will have a positive impact on the connectivity, trade, economic relations between the two states, people-to-people contacts, and overall stability in the region.

Reporter: Will there be mutual diplomatic visits?

Mirzoyan: This is the first high-level visit to Turkey in a decade. Mutual visits can take place if things proceed smoothly.

Reporter: What do Armenian people think about the normalization?

Mirzoyan: Generally, the population wants to normalize relations. It is reflected in opinion polls. Of course, in both countries we have groups that are skeptical about the process. Officials from both sides should take political leadership to address these issues. During my meeting with Minister Chavushoglu, we have exchanged views on certain sensitivities and I hope that they will be taken into account.

[1](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1077987.html)

Pashinyan met EU envoy Klaar, highlighted the need for comprehensive conflict settlement under OSCE

Armenia and the EU discussed developing mutual relations, democratic reforms, and processes in South Caucasus (conflict, demarcation, trade).

[2](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1077928.html)

OSCE rep. praised the efforts to fight misinformation and raise media literacy

Teresa Ribeiro during a forum in Yerevan: This is a strong commitment from the government, which is a very positive step, and we were precisely discussing how important media literacy is nowadays for engaging people in a better way of looking at information.

OSCE is initiating a project but we are not going to compete with UNESCO, which is the main body deeply involved in media literacy. We will focus on media freedom literacy instead. If you want to have media freedom, you need media literacy.

Reporter: What can journalists do?

Teresa Ribeiro: Have a strong strategy to address the challenges related to flows of disinformation and misinformation. Media outlets have a strong responsibility. The journalists should fact-check.

[1](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1077884.html

Rumors & Rebuttals

Two days ago the Ukrainian General Staff claimed that "Russia is bringing fighters from Syria, Serbia, Nagorno-Karabakh".

Artsakh authorities called the reports about sending fighters from Artsakh to Ukraine misinformation. The only thing we sent was [14 tons of] humanitarian aid to Ukraine, said the president's spokesperson.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077905.html) [2](https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/ukrainian-general-staff-russia-is-bringing-fighters-from-syria-serbia-nagorno-karabakh-to-replenish-troops-in-ukraine/) [3](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077941.html) [4](https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGeneralStaff.ua%2Fposts%2F271471665165919)

Armenian MOD: False information was circulated about Azeri troops advancing [near Syunik's Nerkin Hand village two weeks ago]. This area is under Azerbaijani control. They have multiple unfurnished positions that they could not use in the winter. Now that the weather has changed, they are returning to their positions. //

Former human rights ombudsman Tatoyan insisted that the area in question is within Armenia proper and that Azeri troops are not allowed to be there.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077915.html) [2](https://a1plus.am/hy/article/426961)

NSS was asked to comment about social media reports about "imminent war".

NSS: Claims about a new war in the near future are only meant to create panic and are not based on facts. A war can never be ruled out, but we don't have evidence of one happening soon. These rumors are often circulated by officials. We regularly hold prophylactic conversations with them.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077949.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077948.html)

Infrastructure Ministry criticized the circulation of ["misinformation" that claimed](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vsXDz_yn5cQ) that the newly built alternative road in Syunik had "collapsed". It turned out to be a rockfall on a different road, several miles away, that's under active construction.

Speaking of this other road. It's Khot-Vorotan. It will connect a border village Vorotan to other settlements, and in the future could serve as a bypass for the segment of the Syunik highway that went under Azeri control after the war.

[1](https://youtu.be/qWeg-7O0pLA) [2](https://a1plus.am/hy/article/426709)

Armenian army made purchases last year

Deputy MOD: Last year we replenished the army with helicopters, drones, rocket-artillery and anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles, and other equipment.

It is part of the efforts to modernize military equipment. I can't reveal the models and quantities right now. Part of the supplies will be delivered by Armenia's military-industrial complex. We signed contracts with local defense companies to acquire and/or repair air defense systems, rocket-artillery measures, communication systems, etc.

... the army is building bases and positions

We studied the new landscape that emerged after 2020 to make decisions about the locations of permanent troop deployment, the engineering for trenches, etc.

Construction companies are building permanent bases near Jermuk, Tsav, Vardavank, Karashen, Vaghatur. Meanwhile, over 60 locations were equipped with modular housing for soldiers as a temporary measure.

... the army has a new rifle platoon consisting of female servicemen

In September the MOD ordered the formation of a female rifle platoon to promote female recruitment.

... new conscript registration database

To ensure the integrity of the military registration of conscripts and to modernize the registration system, it is planned to create a unified electronic database for the registration of conscripts.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077918.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077923.html) [3](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077925.html) [4](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077925.html) [5](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077934.html)

NSS has new toys

NSS arrested 42 people in 2020-2022 for suspected espionage. Some of the suspects are already in court, while in other instances the preliminary investigation is underway.

Last year NSS obtained new software and hardware to boost the internet speed and protect the networks with a firewall.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077938.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077939.html)

anti-corruption: Karahunj (Syunik) district administrator is charged with forgery

Karahunj is part of Goris municipality.

Authorities report: Karahunj administrator was not a certified member of the election observer "Իրավական մշակույթի զարգացման ինստիտուտ" NGO. He illegally obtained a copy of NGO's official document.

On the election day in 2021, he was at a polling station as a trusted Proxy of one of the [opposition] alliances. He used the stolen document to register his nephew [presumably as an election observer]. Criminal charges are pressed for forgery. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077908.html

penitentiary and Enforcement reforms

[Yesterday we learned](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/te7vr6/news_recap_mar142022_national_cybersecurity/) about reforms carried out in 2021 in the judiciary and its Enforcement Service. The latter has been enforcing/collecting more efficiently, said the Justice Minister.

Government report: these are the collection stats for Enforcement Service

2018: $56M

2019: $70M

2020: $62M

2021: $82M

... prison overcrowding has been completely eliminated

The prison population density per 100 places, according to the Council of Europe index, was about 40%.

... cameras were installed in police interrogation rooms to prevent torture

20% of interrogation rooms were equipped with a camera last year. The entry and exit are also under surveillance. //

More about 2021: [1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077933.html)

Central Bank raised the refinancing rate by 1.25%

It's at 9.25% now. It was a relatively large increase to address the inflation from "external forces". $1 is currently ֏507.

... Central Bank forecasts 1.6% economic growth this year

It was reduced from 5.3% after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. All major sectors of the economy are expected to grow at a smaller rate, and some will be in the negative territory, except agriculture, which will be the real winner. Russia's economy will decline by 6%.

... remittances to Armenia could reduce by 20% this year

These are very preliminary predictions.

... the Armenian banking system has no problems regarding foreign payments: Central Bank

Russia's disconnection from SWIFT did not directly impact Armenian banks.

... 6,500 non-Armenian residents have joined the Armenian banking system after the Ukraine invasion

There were reports of some Russian refugees having problems with opening accounts. The Central Bank said that regardless of what's happening in Ukraine, the banking requirements for foreign residents are always more stringent.

The Central Bank said it's normal for banks to follow proper procedures while opening accounts. "That means [the banks] are properly studying their new customers" to see if they intend to use the system "as a mechanism for transit operations".

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077951.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077912.html) [3](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077956.html) [4](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1077962.html) [5](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077966.html) [6](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077967.html)

Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues

And so do reports about internal turmoil in Russia's security apparatus amid sluggish performance. [Yesterday we learned](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/te7vr6/news_recap_mar142022_national_cybersecurity) that a popular Russian warlord from Donbas was openly critical of Kremlin's planning skills and the military's performance.

At the same time, there were reports of Putin purging intel personnel and military generals. Journalist Christo Grozev from Bellingcat, with a decent track record, says he has "received confirmation from multiple sources" that the purge is real.

Grozev: The Russian army was prepared for a blitzkrieg that was supposed to last a few days, ten at most. We see that they lack the second echelon to replenish and continue the war at the same pace. There is a lack of convoys, fuel, and logistics. There are Russian soldiers who beg for food from locals. There was no Plan B and C.

What's important right now are the developments in Kremlin and the orders that will come next. It has now been confirmed that the intel has accepted that Plan A was a failure.

Strange and scary things are happening in Kremlin. Colonel General Sergey Beseda [the head of the FSB’s foreign intelligence branch] has been arrested, as confirmed by multiple sources [others sources say his deputy and possibly others were also under arrest]. We received leaks from FSB, that are yet to be confirmed, suggesting a massive retaliation against FSB. The GRU [military intel] has strengthened its positions in Kremlin and is attempting to put all the blame on FSB, including its own shortcomings. The roles have reversed. //

Continue: [1](https://youtu.be/eFGqGbe8L0Q?t=231) [2](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/putin-said-to-be-conducting-internal-purge-of-military-generals-intel-personnel/) [3](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-spy-chiefs-putin-security-b2034350.html) [4](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10603045/Putin-places-head-FSBs-foreign-intelligence-branch-house-arrest.html)

... was Putin kept in the dark about Russian military weaknesses?

Retired Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan: Russia began reforming its army after the 2008 war with Georgia. They discarded many legacy Soviet structures. Part of the transformation was the inclusion of the Russian state armament program to compensate for 20 years of divestment in the army. They built a smaller and more professional permanent force. More contractors, new equipment.

Good in theory, but what went wrong with the implementation? One issue may be that Kremlin underestimated the challenges of transforming the military. Army leaders, who had not seen a major war in decades, conducted scripted exercises and were focused on new technology.

[Gerasimov Doctrine might have put them on the wrong track.] They overlooked the basics of land combat: Combined arms, air-ground integration, close combat and good leadership.

Not everyone is sure that the technology part was done properly either. Putin invested hundreds of billions of dollars in the military, but did his yes-men tell him the truth?

After 2008, Russia heavily focused on countering Western advantages in air, and deprioritized its ground forces. Lack of balance can have catastrophic consequences. It is difficult to see where these investments were made, except for some new equipment that was captured by Ukrainian farmers and soldiers. The Russian air force has been unable to achieve air superiority against a smaller air force.

Russian army chief Gerasimov had boasted about the combat experience gained in Syria. They might have taken away the wrong lessons. Their Syrian war was an intervention at the invitation of Assad to suppress rebels. No large-scale ground operations. Many lessons were irrelevant to Ukraine. //

Full: [1](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-15/russia-ukraine-military-weakness-putin-kept-in-the-dark/100908978)

... Armenian community of Ukraine shared details about ethnic Armenian losses

Two people from Chonhar (Kherson region). Four civilians in Kherson, Irpin, and Mariupol (airstrike). Three soldiers while defending Kharkiv, Mariupol, and [city unclear, he is from Vladimir city]. The list may not be full.

Union leader: Yesterday around 160 vehicles escaped Mariupol without awaiting a humanitarian corridor. We're attempting to clarify if there were Armenians among them. The column was bombed but our sources say there were no injuries.

[1](https://factor.am/487525.html)

... Russian aviation news

Last week a Russian aviation agency official Valeriy Kudinov revealed that China is refusing to supply jet parts amid Western sanctions. He has been fired for "violating code of conduct".

In other news. Russia's Aeroflot will resume flights to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan next week with the use of Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet 100. Aeroflot had earlier suspended flights to everywhere but Belarus on March 8.

[1](https://www.reuters.com/article/ukraine-crisis-russia-airlines/russia-fires-official-who-said-china-refused-to-supply-aircraft-parts-idUSL5N2VI1SI) [2 redacted] [3](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077929.html)

... EU agrees on 4th sanctions package

No transactions with Russia's military-industrial complex, limits on steel imports, no investments in Russia's energy sector, ban on the export of luxury goods to Russia, the list of oligarchs expands, Russian companies won't be rated by EU credit rating agencies.

Full: [1](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_1761) [2](https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/03/15/eu-expands-sanctions-against-russia-to-ban-luxury-goods-and-energy-investments)

... why did oil prices plummet 30% in a week?

Brent was $139. Analysts warned it could reach $200 after the boycott of Russian oil, but we're seeing the reverse trend, with Brent being below $100 [as of writing this].

The pullback was driven by hopes that UAE and Saudis will pump their rookie numbers up, and that China will need less oil amid new COVID lockdowns.

Analysts warn that $200 is still a possibility.

Full: [1](https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/investing/premarket-stocks-trading/index.html)

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/tf1dgd/mar152022_yerevan_to_acquire_trolleys_european/