2023 October 28

Daily news wrap-up

October 28: News-mews
by ar_david_hh

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interview with Nagorno-Karabakh President Shahramanyan

Shahramanyan said he was nominated for president because of his "clean record" and lack of corruption convictions.

Several Nagorno-Karabakh officials have revealed that they were given an "ultimatum" by Azerbaijan that it would launch an attack if the Nagorno-Karabakh parliament proceeded with the plan to elect Shahramanyan as president. Despite these revelations, Shahramanyan downplayed the connection between his appointment and the attack. He believes Azerbaijan was going to attack anyway.

SHAHRAMANYAN: On September 19 we learned that Azerbaijani soldiers approached the Russian peacekeepers' observation point near Shushi and warned them to take cover ahead of the planned artillery attack by Azerbaijan. This was confirmed by peacekeepers. That's when it became clear to me that an attack was imminent. We were already on the highest alert. The attack began against all regions.

A few hours later I realized that we were all alone against Azerbaijan. Russia adopted a monitoring position. We had to resolve our own problems. We prepared a military response to the Azerbaijani army. This is eventually what made it possible to launch negotiations with them. We had to stop the military actions because of the disbalance of power.

I contacted Azeri officials I was familiar with to launch the negotiations. These are officials who were formerly negotiating with ex-President Arayik Harutyunyan. Azerbaijan said the fighting won't stop until all the objectives are reached: full control of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The opponent's army had reached the outskirts of the capital Stepanakert. We had no choice but to agree to concessions. The first document Azeris sent was rejected by us. Eventually, we signed a document to (1) establish a ceasefire on September 20, (2) dissolve the Defense Army, (3) surrender all the weapons, and withdraw the remnants of the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia.

REPORTER: Were they actually present in Nagorno-Karabakh?

SHAHRAMANYAN: No. That formulation was obviously unacceptable for us but Azerbaijan insisted on writing it that way. We were forced to sign it.

REPORTER: Why weren't the weapons under the possession of Nagorno-Karabakh transferred to Armenia?

SHAHRAMANYAN: We lost that opportunity after Azerbaijan installed the checkpoint in the Lachin corridor. We handed over the weapons to Russian peacekeepers.

The ceasefire agreement also allowed the Defense Army soldiers to cross into Armenia without being arrested by Azeri agents. We also agreed for the inspections in general to be lightweight or not at all. That is what we observed initially.

REPORTER: Did you inform the Armenian government about your decisions?

SHAHRAMANYAN: Yes. We kept them informed about our plans. We also discussed the risks associated with the documents we intended to sign, but again, our primary goal at that time was to end the war and save lives.

REPORTER: Couldn't you agree to concessions sooner and prevent the war since you had been under a blockade for 9 months and were no match to the Azerbaijani army?

SHAHRAMANYAN: No. We wouldn't be able to convince our residents to trust us and surrender without a fight, to leave Nagorno-Karabakh without a fight.

REPORTER: Samvel Babayan says it was possible to avoid the bloodshed. He was separately negotiating with Azerbaijan. Moreover, Hayk Khanumyan says Samvel Babayan had offered you his services as a mediator on the first day of the war.

SHAHRAMANYAN: Khanumyan called me on September 19 and informed me that Samvel Babayan was ready to assume leadership and launch negotiations with Azerbaijan to stop the war. I asked Babayan to present his plans for our consideration. He refused to share it with us. I asked Azerbaijan if there was a chance they would stop the war quicker if the negotiator was Samvel Babayan or Vitali Balasanyan instead of me, but Azeris said there wouldn't be any difference, so I decided to continue the ceasefire negotiations.

REPORTER: What about the earlier negotiations that Babayan was having with Azerbaijan, around a status and national guard? What do you know about this?

SHAHRAMANYAN: I learned about his negotiations during a private Sec.Con. meeting [before becoming president] and later asked him to present the details. He said it was a document consisting of 23 points, and that Azerbaijan found it acceptable except for 3 points that required more negotiations. I haven't seen that document. Babayan said he had permission from President Arayik Harutyunyan to negotiate with Azerbaijan, but did he inform the government of Armenia ahead of time? Who was the negotiator on the Azerbaijani side? Babayan wanted to reduce Nagorno-Karabakh's status to an autonomy within Azerbaijan. That document, assuming we found it acceptable, would eventually lead to the dissolution of the state so it would become an autonomy within Azerbaijan. I later discussed this topic with an Azerbaijani official and I was told that Azerbaijan is not discussing such a plan and is not going to discuss any status with us because granting us autonomy would destabilize Azerbaijan internally.

[During a recent interview, Samvel Babayan stated that Azerbaijan is no longer open to autonomy after the military aggression. His team was negotiating with Azerbaijan separately.]

REPORTER: Tell us about the atmosphere after the ceasefire.

SHAHRAMANYAN: Together with the Russian peacekeeping chief and Azeri generals, I was traveling to regions to convince the encircled Armenian soldiers to lay down their arms to save their lives. Azerbaijan had established control of all major roads and junctures. They were located too close to civilian settlements. The regions were under a blockade, lacked communication with other regions, basic necessities, etc. People wanted a solution ASAP. Some residents gathered at the Russian military base in Ivanyan to be safe. The population wanted a safe passage to Armenia.

REPORTER: A panic ensued and everyone began to leave after they learned about an opportunity to leave?

SHAHRAMANYAN: Some rumors were circulated that the checkpoints would only be open for a few days and that they had a small window of opportunity to safely move to Armenia. We released statements to dismiss the rumors and prevent chaos.

REPORTER: What about the explosion at the fuel depot?

SHAHRAMANYAN: It took place in storage belonging to the Defense Army. We kept plenty of reserves there for wartime use. The population rushed there due to the panic. Basic rules of safety were ignored. The explosion took as many lives as the military actions. This was despite our efforts to calm the population by informing them that everyone who wished would receive access to a bus and fuel to reach Armenia because the special regime would be active until the end of the year.

REPORTER: Why were people allowed to enter the fuel storage site? Wasn't it a protected area?

SHAHRAMANYAN: There is a criminal investigation.

REPORTER: About your decree...

SHAHRAMANYAN: (1) Safe exit of soldiers and civilian population. (2) Dissolution of the state system. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic would cease to exist. (3) Our population is informed about Azerbaijan's "integration" offer and each individual decides whether they accept it or not. This document was widely discussed. They accused me of signing a decree to dissolve the state.

REPORTER: You claim you didn't sign under that document and that no one has seen that document?

SHAHRAMANYAN: People only discuss the part about the dissolution of the state but not the reason why that document was adopted. This document allowed our population to exit safely. We know the legal power and abilities of that document. We will discuss that document in the future.

REPORTER: How come Azeris arrested all the presidents except you?

SHAHRAMANYAN: Azerbaijan displayed a selective approach. The arrests were made for political reasons.

REPORTER: How did you reach Armenia?

SHAHRAMANYAN: With a [Russian] helicopter. It transferred me, the defense minister, and two of my bodyguards. Our helicopter landed in Sisian, Armenia.

REPORTER: Armenian government circles insist that you were transferred to Armenia [with the help of Russia] with the objective of helping to destroy Armenia's statehood.

SHAHRAMANYAN: That's false. The first thing I did upon reaching Yerevan was to gather Nagorno-Karabakh officials to discuss the socio-economic issues facing the refugees. I told them it was unacceptable for us to take part in any internal political processes in Armenia.

REPORTER: You were criticized for threatening to break a protester's skull.

SHAHRAMANYAN: Any self-respecting man from Nagorno-Karabakh would have said the same [in response to a provocation]. That's our character.

REPORTER: The Armenian government offers two options: become a citizen and integrate into Armenia, or take advantage of the special protection status as a refugee. Wouldn't we [Karabakhis] lose our material-cultural values if we chose the former?

SHAHRAMANYAN: Karabakhis are not "guests" in Armenia. This is our united homeland. Obviously, we should preserve our identity. I think the Armenian government and society will take steps to allow us to do that.

REPORTER: Your critics say you emptied the budget and distributed state properties to specific individuals before leaving.

SHAHRAMANYAN: Armenian authorities should investigate such claims. My administration did not plunder the state budget before the exodus.

REPORTER: Did you purge state records before leaving?

SHAHRAMANYAN: The digital copies of the databases have been preserved.

REPORTER: Many Karabakhis who are owed salaries by the Nagorno-Karabakh government are currently unable to receive their funds because their names aren't in the system due to a lack of databases. Why can't they restore their work and military certificates?

SHAHRAMANYAN: We are discussing it with the relevant agencies in Armenia. We will hand over the digital copies to the Migration Services of Armenia.

REPORTER: What's the next step?

SHAHRAMANYAN: To begin the work around the return of our population to Nagorno-Karabakh. We need to find a path.

REPORTER: What status would Nagorno-Karabakh have?

SHAHRAMANYAN: It's up to the negotiation process. The EU, U.S., and Russia want Armenians to return to Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan should also want our return because today they are being accused of causing a forced exodus. We should begin negotiations.

REPORTER: Would you return if Nagorno-Karabakh isn't free and independent?

SHAHRAMANYAN: I expect certain conditions in order to agree to return with my family.

REPORTER: What are those conditions?

SHAHRAMANYAN: I won't disclose them yet.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjvjYJzilFM)

reforms: Patrol Police enters into service in the last remaining provinces of Armenia

PASHINYAN: This is how ideas turn into reality. Today we conclude the establishment of the Patrol Police in Armenia with the addition of Armavir, Ararat, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik provinces.

The first discussions about the need for these reforms began 5 years ago. That's not too long considering the fact that we've been busy working on other projects and addressing various challenges as well. I'd like to thank everyone who believed in these reforms and worked selfless to make this possible.

I'd like to thank the Minister of Interior who previously served as the police chief, and the current police chief. From the very moment I announced their names to lead the agencies, skeptics began to cast doubt because they believed the ex-police chief would "resist" the reforms at the Interior Ministry. I'm happy to note that the concerns did not materialize.

I'd like to thank the U.S. and the EU for their support and trust in this process. I also thank Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan for coordinating these efforts, and the parliament for adopting the necessary laws.

Not everything went smoothly in the beginning. In 2021, during the first days of the Patrol's service in Yerevan, there were numerous complaints because they had difficulty with managing the road traffic. They got the hang of it within days and today people see a new quality of service and new relations between the police and citizens.

International experts have placed Armenia in the 9th place in the crime-free index. Of course the police has its share in this, but it's also thanks to our societal norms, traditions, and attitudes.

There is one last thing: the Water Patrol Service will launch in Lake Sevan this December. Next, we will have to work on improving the Patrol service and involve more female officers. It is a strategic goal to bring their share to >30%. Thank you for applying, ladies. Armenia needs your help. //

KVIEN, U.S. AMBASSADOR: On behalf of the United States Government, I am honored to join you today for this important event.

Armenia remains a beacon of democracy in the South Caucasus.

In light of the positive achievements, the U.S. has decided to allocate another $1 million to support the police reforms.

With the launch of the new Patrol Police, residents of Syunik will be able to work more closely with law enforcement and justice system representatives and feel safer. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u7jHzD5Xhk?t=127) [source,](https://factor.am/705336.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1123060.html)

most arable lands in Armenia are going unused, partly because of land fragmentation

66% of arable lands in Vayots Dzor are uncultivated. Even lands with access to water are abandoned.

LOCAL OFFICIAL: It's because of land ownership fragmentation. We are located in Malishka right now. The average resident owns a very small plot of land here. That's not enough to meet the needs of a 4-person family. For comparison, lands in Areni are less fragmented. There, farmers receive 20 tons of grapes from a hectare. That's around ֏4 million.

MAYOR of MALISHKA: Farmers want a minimum of 1-4 hectares of land. There is a federal assistance program that provides subsidies for the establishment of intensive gardens but fragmentation is still a problem. //

Lack of water is also a problem. Locals want the government to build more water reservoirs. Out of 600 million m^3 water reserves in Vayots Dzor, locals are only able to use 140 million m^3 including the deliveries from Lake Sevan. The rest of the water flows to Nakhijevan.

The government has a subsidy program that covers 50% of the costs associated with the construction of local water pools for farming. Another 60% subsidy if the farmer buys modern irrigation systems.

There is a federal pilot program to reduce land fragmentation by encouraging the merger of lands. It started in Armavir province. The results will make it clear whether it's worth implementing elsewhere.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qEJK70NhIc)

Mrs. Donara from Nagorno-Karabakh has brought her authentic jinglayov hats (flatbread with greens) to Yerevan's Nor-Nork district: VIDEO

The shop has moved to Nor-Nork's 2nd massive with the financial help of donors.

She says the key to delicious jingyalov hats is to maintain the correct ratio of ճռճռուկ and other ingredients. She is using 10 types of greens.

Established clients from Nagorno-Karabakh and new ones from Yerevan are keeping her shop busy. The whole staff has moved to Yerevan. They only had time to save the oven after the military invasion by Azerbaijan. They were providing free food to soldiers during the 2020 war.

Mrs. Donara has been making jingyalov hats for 30 years, since the age of 12. It's a tradition passed on to her from her aunt. Even the 9-month-long blockade with a shortage of flour and electricity was unable to stop her.

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhtcqv5Ia-g)

this dude is doing քյանդռբազություն on Yerecan's Cascade: VIDEO

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMwh3-GLxsI?t=10)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17iqjnv/october_28_newsmews/