2023 September 4

Daily news wrap-up

Nagorno-Karabakh oppo. leader Samvel Babayan says they sent confidence-building document to Azerbaijan & received response; Details about new govt & "agreement" on Agdam || Armenia calls Russia unreliable || Interview: Pashinyan, Alen, Aram Sargsyan, Artsrun
by ar_david_hh

---

21 minutes.

Russia is attempting to blame its inaction on us: Interview with Armenian parliament leader Alen Simonyan

REPORTER: Why did Azerbaijan attack our border positions on Friday?

ALEN: The goal of armed attacks is to attempt to pressure Armenia to make diplomatic concessions. The context in this case is the blockade of the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh. We have initiated a very significant international pressure on Azerbaijan to lift the blockade.

... the blockade of Lachin

REPORTER: Describe the Armenia-Russia relations. Last week there was an [intense exchange between foreign ministries](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/166ppv0/armenia_accuses_russia_of_ignoring_commitments/). Russia blames the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh on Armenia, citing the Prague agreements.

ALEN: That's absurd. It's an attempt by Russia to shift the blame of its inaction, and to a degree the ineptitude, on the Armenian side.

Russia was supposed to be the guarantor in the region but they've recognized Azerbaijan's "territorial integrity". Vladimir Putin recognized it on 17 November 2020. Vladimir Putin said that Nagorno-Karabakh was, is, and will be an "inseparable territory of Azerbaijan".

It doesn't really matter what statement Armenia made later in Prague because there was a Nov. 9 trilateral statement that established the Lachin corridor with a 5 km width that was supposed to be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. So where is the corridor and where are the peacekeepers?

REPORTER: Russian government and parliamentary opposition in Armenia claim that by recognizing Azerbaijan's territorial integrity under the Alma-Ata agreement, you have allowed Azerbaijan to "do whatever it wants" in Lachin.

ALEN: Armenia has never had territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Not now, not in the past, including under the former regime. Armenia itself has never recognized the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. This conflict has always been about the rights and security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.

Once again, on 9 November 2020, three states signed a statement that:

(1) Established the existence of the unit Nagorno-Karabakh,

(2) The existence of the Lachin corridor and the party that's supposed to control it

(3) The types of cargo that can pass, etc.

Is Russia telling us that it is no longer a guarantor under the Nov. 9 statement? If so, they must say it frankly. Russia's excuse regarding the Prague meeting is self-deception. It's an attempt to shift the blame on us.

==... why Russia wants to give a "Zangezur corridor" to Azerbaijan

REPORTER: Explain Russia's inaction or ineptitude in Nagorno-Karabakh.

ALEN: There are multiple answers.

(1) Russia is fighting a difficult war in Europe, on the territories of Ukraine.

(2) There are strong economic incentives for Russia. You're aware of the attempts to open a "corridor" through Syunik. This is being done with long-term economic benefits in mind. Turkey is one of Russia's largest economic hubs today. A large portion of Russia's trade is happening through Turkey. It's no coincidence that the grain deal is being negotiated by Turkey. They want to become a hub for grain, too.

(3) The creation of the "Syunik corridor" was meant to increase leverage over Armenia. We did not allow the creation of any "corridor" through Armenia. [Russia] were able to gain leverage over Azerbaijan with the Lachin corridor but they needed a similar leverage over Armenia, so there were attempts to pressure us to agree to a Syunik corridor. When they met our resolute resistance, they shut down the Lachin corridor.

... Azerbaijan-Russia alliance is bypassing energy sanctions

REPORTER: Our opposition parties have the 4th answer: Your administration is pro-West and anti-Russia, and your goal is to kick Russia out of our region. Our opposition parties want a Russia-Armenia-Iran alliance against the Azerbaijan-Turkey-West alliance.

ALEN: Turkey and Azerbaijan are helping Russia to bypass Western sanctions, so I highly doubt Russia wants to form an alliance against them. Once again, Russia-Turkey relations today are the highest they have ever been.

Our administration is not anti-Russia. To put it simply, what we are saying is "You signed an agreement to protect Armenia, so protect Armenia." This blame game by Russia is not serious.

Speaking of us being "pro-West". The same Western countries that are criticizing Russia and imposing sanctions against Russia have been buying the same Russian gas through Azerbaijani pipes while pretending it's not Russian. What's with double standards? We are not pro-Western or anti-Russian. Our goal is to protect Armenian interests.

... Rome Statute

REPORTER: Why did the Pashinyan administration send the Rome Statute to Parliament for ratification?

ALEN: The war crimes committed against Armenia, including the post- and pre-2020 war crimes, have perpetrator officials who are responsible for the war crimes.

REPORTER: That's great but is the ratification also a step against Russia, against Vladimir Putin?

ALEN: We've held discussions with our Russian colleagues to prevent unwanted scenarios but the reality is that Armenia is facing a series of threats all alone so we're going to prioritize our national interests.

REPORTER: "Armenia is all alone". Is the West not helping us?

ALEN: There is a limited level of support. The West pursues its own interests. Since we Armenians are an emotional nation, we tend to run and hug people right and left but remember that everyone pursues their own interests. It's great that our interests occasionally match that of West's or Russia's.

... army reforms

REPORTER: Azerbaijan won the 2020 war because they prepared their army for 30 years. Are we doing the same today?

ALEN: Extensive work is underway. Armenian-made weapons were used against Azeri troops after the ceasefire violation on Friday. It would be a mistake to go into details. We speak about peace but we simultaneously prepare to defend ourselves.

... resignation of Nagorno-Karabakh government

REPORTER: What do you know about the processes in Stepanakert? What is the new government's direction?

ALEN: I'm in touch with my Nagorno-Karabakh counterparts on a daily basis. I spoke with Arayik Harutyunyan shortly before his resignation. My understanding is that Nagorno-Karabakh is attempting to form a unified position to strengthen its stance. There are different opinions within Nagorno-Karabakh. Some want to negotiate with Azerbaijan, others are categorically against it, others want the utilization of Agdam road, etc.

Today there is a process of consolidation. It's important for the new president, who will be elected next week by parliament MPs, to have a strong mandate and widespread support. This is the first time since the constitutional amendments that the parliament will elect the president, so it's important, including from the negotiations perspective, for the president to have a strong mandate and the support of the public.

[source;](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOX9_rq0Ad4)

interview by Pashinyan to Italian press "La Repubblica" angers Russia

REPORTER: Russia was supposed to control the Lachin corridor but it is currently under Azerbaijani control. It started with a fake environmental protest. Why isn't Russia intervening to open it?

PASHINYAN: I can only say that Russian peacekeepers are not carrying out their duties under the Trilateral Statement. This is very concerning. The presence of Russian peacekeepers was supposed to be one of the main solutions to ensure the safety and rights of the population.

REPORTER: You've been discussing peace in Brussels. How close are AM-AZ to peace?

PASHINYAN: There was significant progress at first because we were focused on paragraphs that weren't very divisive. But the more you work, the closer you get to the most difficult paragraphs. Our stance remains that a peace agenda must move forward and there must be an AM-AZ peace agreement.

In Prague and Brussels, we agreed with Azerbaijan to mutually recognize each other's territorial integrity. This is a prerequisite for a peace agreement. It's about the Alma-Ata declaration, according to which the state borders of ex-USSR states would match their administrative borders during the USSR. It became necessary to clarify the size of each state. In Brussels, we agree that Armenia will recognize Azerbaijan's 86,600 km^2, and Azerbaijan will recognize Armenia's 29,800 km^2. However, the president of Azerbaijan has not reaffirmed this agreement publicly since that meeting.

REPORTER: Do you believe the surrender of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan is the price Armenia must pay for peace?

PASHINYAN: This is about something completely else. If Armenia and Azerbaijan do not recognize each other's territorial integration, there will never be peace. Nagorno-Karabakh was/is under the control of the Nagorno-Karabakh government. Today there is also the presence of Russian peacekeepers.

REPORTER: But Azerbaijan insists that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. What guarantees are there that if Nagorno-Karabakh goes under Azerbaijani control, Azerbaijan will cease its territorial claims against Armenia?

PASHINYAN: Our stance is clear: The rights and security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians must be secured and guaranteed under an international mechanism. The AM-AZ peace treaty must also include guarantees for peace between AM-AZ.

REPORTER: Speaking of an international mechanism. What should be the role of the EU and West in general?

PASHINYAN: We've noticed an increased interest from the EU and West in recent times. The fact that the conflict is still unresolved means this level of interest is still insufficient, but the primary responsibility for solving this conflict is on Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh. Our international colleagues should do more to make peace possible.

REPORTER: Why isn't Russia helping Armenia liberate the territories occupied by Azerbaijan since 2021?

PASHINYAN: There can be many explanations but the fact is that our public is deeply disappointed in the CSTO. This is why Armenia refused to ratify several documents during the Fall 2022 CSTO session in Armenia.

REPORTER: Describe peace.

PASHINYAN: 1) AM-AZ recognize territorial integrity and implement it. 2) Address the rights and security of NK Armenians through an NK-AZ dialogue under an international mechanism. 3) The peace agreement must contain mechanisms to truly guarantee peace.

REPORTER: If the world recognizes Azerbaijan's control over Nagorno-Karabakh, what assurances are there that the local population will be treated fairly? There is anti-Armenian rhetoric coming from Azerbaijani television.

PASHINYAN: That's the point of finding "guarantees". The Lachin corridor is illegally blocked today due to a lack of guarantees. The lack of guarantees is the reason why the conflict began, hasn't ended yet, and Azerbaijan is carrying out an ethnic cleansing today.

REPORTER: You recently stated that the "peace agenda" adopted by your government is the "independence agenda" because "if we have peace, we will have independence", and that as long as you don't have peace the ghost of the USSR will continue to follow you. Is the goal of the peace agenda to also become more independent from Russia?

PASHINYAN: More independent in general, and to diversify our security policy. The Armenian public knows about this but it's another thing when you speak out loud: 99.999% of Armenia's security architecture relied on Russia, including the acquisition of arms and ammunition. But today Russia itself is in need of armament. *Even if they want*, they can't help Armenia. It is a strategic mistake to be reliant on one source.

It wasn't until we tasted the bitter fruits of this mistake that we began taking steps to diversify our security strategy, including with attempts to build non-confrontational relations with our neighbors. We can no longer be guided by the idea that we can constantly remain in conflict with our neighbors with the hope that some other country will guarantee our security. That "other country" either doesn't want to or is incapable of protecting us. We must face this difficult reality and we must speak about it out loud. Armenia will lose its independence if it doesn't go through this process.

REPORTER: What motives does Russia have to allow Azerbaijan to maintain control of the Lachin corridor? Have you asked Russians for a straightforward answer?

PASHINYAN: We've discussed this topic with our Russian colleagues. We also have our theories, which point to historical parallels. This isn't the first time South Caucasus has gone through this. There have been instances of Russia withdrawing from the region after a quick decision.

Our Russian colleagues speak a lot about the Western states supposedly convincing my administration to push Russia out of the region. Haha. But we've told our Russian colleagues that it is Russia that is taking steps, or by exercising inaction, to leave the region voluntarily. We can wake up one day and realize that Russia is gone.

Either Russia is incapable of holding control of the Lachin corridor, or they don't want to. Both scenarios are problematic for us.

REPORTER: Which one is it: can't or don't want to?

PASHINYAN: A mixture of both. *(smiles)*

REPORTER: What is the reason why they don't want to?

PASHINYAN: Various reasons but I won't mention my theories. I've mentioned them during my public speeches but you have to read between the lines to understand.

[source;](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYk9ho5F0I0)

Kremlin is "extremely dissatisfied" with Pashinyan's statements made during the interview: TASS source

They saw an "unacceptable tone and content" in the interview and an attempt to unfairly blame Russia for the situation.

Source: We do not plan to leave the South Caucasus. Armenia, as the closest friend and neighbor of Russia, should not be used as a tool by the West to push Russia out of the region.

[source;](https://factor.am/683784.html)

discussion between journalists Petros Ghazaryan and Tatul Hakobyan

PETROS & TATUL: The Soviet Union was an "international mechanism" that guaranteed the physical existence of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh despite the attempts by Azerbaijan to depopulate it. That international mechanism no longer exists.

PETROS: Why did president Arayik Harutyunyan resign?

TATUL: Succumbed to the pressure.

PETROS: Who is the new presidential candidate that's being promoted by opposition forces in Nagorno-Karabakh?

TATUL: He is a close ally of ex-president Bako Sahakyan.

PETROS: What is his plan?

TATUL: I haven't heard his plans. I think the important issue for them is to capture power in Nagorno-Karabakh and ]use that to change the government in Armenia. But the fact is, it is no longer possible to use the Nagorno-Karabakh issue as a tool to mobilize an internal political process in Armenia. It no longer works.

PETROS: Why is the opposition-led process that forced Arayik to resign so murky? If the elite in Stepanakert want our sons to die for the homeland, to pay taxes to promote the local economy, don't we the people at least deserve some transparency? Don't we deserve to know what Arayik Harutyunyan's plan was that led to his resignation? What is the position of the new candidate around the Agdam road and crisis resolution? Why should we choose him over Arayik?

TATUL: Maybe the government of Nagorno-Karabakh has given the answers to those questions to the government of Armenia behind closed doors.

PETROS: The public also deserves to know. If our fate also hangs on Nagorno-Karabakh then I want to know what's happening in Nagorno-Karabakh.

TATUL: It was a mistake to force the resignation of the democratically elected president. Azerbaijan might not allow for another election to be held in Nagorno-Karabakh.

[full](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjwi_KA58FY)

interview with Gen. Samvel Babayan, Nagorno-Karabakh's main opposition figure not part of the former regime

REPORTER: Can you comment on the pressure that led to Arayik Harutyunyan's unexpected resignation?

BABAYAN: There was no "pressure" per se, and his resignation was not unexpected. I've been saying over the past 2 weeks that he will have no choice but to leave soon. No one inside and outside Nagorno-Karabakh supported Arayik Harutyunyan.

REPORTER: Did the former presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia pressure Arayik to resign? Bako Sahakyan-era head of NSS will become the president.

BABAYAN: Arayik Harutyunyan is one of them. He was Bako Sahakyan's prime minister for 11 years. They did not "force" Arayik to resign. He is part of the act. He couldn't play his role so they are replacing the actor. The Armenian government must stop supporting that entire team. Period.

Now the real question is, will the public tolerate the process of allowing a shadowy group consisting of 3 men to make this decision on their behalf? We must not allow these types of closed-door decisions in Nagorno-Karabakh.

REPORTER: Armenia "sent you" to Nagorno-Karabakh after the war to help the government with decision-making, but in the end, Arayik decided to side with the former presidents and ignore your hand. Why?

BABAYAN: No political force in Armenia "set me" to Nagorno-Karabakh, and no political force in Armenia supports me.

REPORTER: ... I meant the Armenian people sent you there. They supported your departure to Nagorno-Karabakh to help resolve the crisis.

BABAYAN: They did not accept my hand because we have polar opposite positions. We believe that Nagorno-Karabakh must act independently while they believe they must serve someone else. I've been against that approach since 1992.

Second. They don't understand the importance of Nagorno-Karabakh holding direct dialogue with Azerbaijan. That dialogue is what will make the AM-AZ peace agreement possible, establish AM-TR relations, and bring stability to the region. There are still people in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia who do not understand this. They call it "treason".

REPORTER: The Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament will vote for the new president on September 8. How will your party vote?

BABAYAN: We will not vote for him. Any MP who votes in favor will bear the responsibility for the cruel outcome. They must think 1,000 times before they vote.

Armenia's opposition parties instructed the ex-leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh to form the shadowy group to replace Arayik. That's where the problem comes from. The opposition is trying to replace Pashinyan in Yerevan. Let them replace him, let them rally the public against him, but leave Nagorno-Karabakh's internal politics out of it.

REPORTER: Do you believe the end goal of this change in Nagorno-Karabakh is to eventually force Pashinyan's resignation?

BABAYAN: That's obvious. They aren't even hiding it in their speeches.

REPORTER: Analysts believe that Serj Sargsyan and Bako Sahakyan are appointing their guy as the president, while as a compromise solution, they allowed Kocharyan to pick the leader of the parliament. Is this accurate?

BABAYAN: ... Nagorno-Karabakh must engage in direct negotiations with Azerbaijan. There is no other solution. If the public does not flood the streets on September 8th and pressure the parliament to terminate this process, Nagorno-Karabakh will be gone forever.

REPORTER: What should the protesters demand?

BABAYAN: To demand the parliament vote for another candidate instead, the one chosen by the people.

REPORTER: If the former regime comes to power, is there even a slight chance you might cooperate with them?

BABAYAN: We have ideological differences. We have different solutions for the resolution of the conflict. We have different visions for Nagorno-Karabakh's future.

They want to fight until the end and die of hunger so the opposition parties in Armenia can come to power in Yerevan. We want to hold a dialogue with Azerbaijan, reach mutual concessions, and take steps toward building trust. It is possible.

We will soon find out which option the public prefers.

REPORTER: Do you believe the protest will be crowded and will they demand the parliament elect you instead?

BABAYAN: They have already attempted to "disqualify" me, claiming that I haven't been registered locally for 10+ years. This is a lie. I have the same passport as they do, we all have Armenian passports, and my activities in Armenia do not disqualify me in Nagorno-Karabakh. They tried to pull this off [ahead of the 2020 presidential elections] but we all know how it ended. The public must pressure them if they want to end the hunger and start developing our country. Everyone should take to the streets on September 8th.

REPORTER: What other political forces will join the protest?

BABAYAN: Every non-parliamentary force, and also some breakaway members representing the parliamentary parties.

REPORTER: The shadowy troika that has organized the power change could not have done this without Russia's support or approval.

BABAYAN: I'll refrain from answering. But if a person is so shortsighted and doesn't understand that his entire nation is being used as a tool by others, then it's a big shame and I don't want to comment on that.

REPORTER: Name the troika. Bako Sahakyan, Serj Sargsyan, and who is the third?

BABAYAN: The nightlong meeting took place between Bako Sahakyan, Arkadiy Ghukasyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan. I don't have the exact names of their instructors from Yerevan.

REPORTER: They speak about "fighting until the end" and holding no dialogue with Azerbaijan. What's their plan? An armed conflict against Azerbaijan?

BABAYAN: They are incapable of anything, let alone resistance. They just want to buy some time so their allies can change the power in Armenia. If they were a "fighter" type they wouldn't plunder and destroy the country for 20 years. The only salvation is for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to reject this zoo on September 8th.

REPORTER: Azerbaijan has stationed cargo on Agdam road. Nagorno-Karabakh rejected the entry. On the other end, we have dozens of trucks stuck in Armenia. The EU wants both Lachin and Agdam to open. What's the solution?

BABAYAN: You should know that the current government of Nagorno-Karabakh is in touch with the security apparatus of Azerbaijan every day. They've informed Azerbaijan that as soon as the power change is complete on September 8th, they will accept the delivery of cargo through Agdam. You have probably heard their fairy tales about how tough they are, and how they resist Azerbaijan. They should tell these funny stories to their children at home.

What is my plan? I propose confidence-building measures, followed by a comprehensive package to tackle the political aspect of the conflict. We must sit down and discuss the package one paragraph at a time and build confidence.

Nagorno-Karabakh must be a separate unit with its own forces. This is achievable and we will achieve that if they do not get on our way. We have already sent the full document package to Azerbaijan. They have given some answers and requested certain clarifications. We are in a dialogue. We will meet to discuss it once we shape the package.

That is our approach. That is how it needs to be done instead of wasting time on discussing the entry or no entry of two trucks filled with flour.

The government had requested those Azeri trucks be brought in. Once the people shut down the Agdam road and prevented their entry, they suddenly claimed it wasn't their idea. Then they wanted to help Russian peacekeepers load that cargo in peacekeeping trucks to bring them to Nagorno-Karabakh. It's a total circus.

[source;](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32576619.html)

a group of Nagorno-Karabakh residents patrol Agdam road to block the entry of Azerbaijani trucks

Reporter: The protesters are taking shifts to guard the road and block any movement.

Askeran Gov.: We will not ask for bread from the enemy that's trying to kill us.

Reporter: Are Russian peacekeepers and Azeris negotiating with each other to secure the entry?

Askeran Gov.: They would need to apply force.

Reporter: Did any government officials recently arrive from Stepanakert to discuss the opening of the Agdam road?

Askeran Gov.: Yes. The officials [possibly led by newly appointed parliament president Davit Ishkhanyan] wanted to hear the protesters' demands and what it would take to have them open the road. The officials asked if the protesters would agree to open it if the cargo was marked as "humanitarian". The protesters said "under no circumstances" unless "Lachin is opened". The public officials told the protesters they agreed with that position and left. //

Azerbaijan has blocked the entry of dozens of Armenian and French humanitarian trucks for around a month now.

[source;](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32573133.html)

interview with ex-PM Aram Sargsyan: Agdam road

SARGSYAN: Azerbaijan used to demand a corridor through Syunik in exchange for allowing the operation of the Lachin corridor. Today they [have downgraded or changed their claim] and demand access to the Agdam road in exchange for opening the Lachin corridor.

The Agdam road used to be operational until Azerbaijani fake eco-activists shut down the Lachin corridor. Prior to this, twice a week, the Azeri army columns [accompanied by Russian peacekeepers] would use the Agdam road to reach Shushi.

Azerbaijan wants to build a Hamalir ripoff in Shushi and housing for 28,000 people. Without the Agdam road, they have to travel an extra 100 km road, the last 5 km of which passes through Qarin Tak, which is extremely difficult to pass unless you fund a mega project with international standards and build some serious bridges there. It's not a matter of a couple of years.

Azerbaijan *needs* Agdam. Today they are building ground for military intervention. What they do largely depends on the geopolitical developments in the world.

[source;](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lPKlTAp2MM)

Arayik Harutyunyan about his resignation:

I didn't resign earlier because, under the old Constitution, my resignation would have triggered Parliamentary and Presidential elections, which could be impossible to hold.

After the Constitutional reforms, which went into effect in July, it became possible for Parliament to elect a new president after a resignation. I didn't want to resign in July and August in order not to complicate diplomatic processes, hence the decision to resign in late August.

I urge the MPs to exercise independence while voting for a president.

I urge Armenia not to intervene in this process.

I will support the new president to the best of my ability. //

[source;](https://factor.am/683731.html)

New York Times article: Another Ethnic Cleansing Could Be Underway — and We’re Not Paying Attention

>You probably haven’t heard of Azerbaijan’s brutality toward an ethnic Armenian enclave called Nagorno-Karabakh, but it deserves scrutiny. The former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo, whom I got to know years ago when he sought accountability for the genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region, now describes what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh in a similar fashion.

>There is an ongoing genocide against 120,000 Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh,” he wrote in a recent report.

>We tend to think of genocide as the slaughter of an ethnic group. But the legal definition in the 1948 Genocide Convention is broader and doesn’t require mass killing, so long as there are certain “acts committed with intent to destroy” a particular ethnic, racial or religious group.

>That is what Azerbaijan is doing, Moreno Ocampo argued, by blockading Nagorno-Karabakh so that people die or flee, thus destroying an ancient community.

[source;](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/02/opinion/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh.html)

The Telegraph, Rowan Williams: Armenians are facing genocide in Nagorno Karabakh. The world must not sit idly by

>Hospitals in the besieged region are operating at severely limited capacity, unable to perform vital procedures. Miscarriages and stillbirths have risen by a reported 30 percent. Malnutrition is widely spread and cases of death by starvation are regularly registered. And things are only getting worse.

>We know from the recent meeting of the UN Security Council that Azerbaijan is preventing the International Red Cross from visiting Nagorno-Karabakh, and the government in Baku continues to ignore calls from a wide array of international organisations — including the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) — to restore freedom of movement and the transfer of vital supplies through the corridor.

[source;](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/03/armenians-are-facing-genocide-in-nagorno-karabakh/)

The Times: With Russia and the West distracted, 120,000 face ‘ethnic cleansing’

>Azerbaijan has cut off the disputed region’s link to the outside world, leaving its Armenian majority facing desperate shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies as winter draws in

[source;](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/with-russia-and-the-west-distracted-120-000-face-ethnic-cleansing-heres-why-b7ds5l9z2)

Azerbaijan complains about British BBC news agency's pro-Armenian coverage

The Press Council of Azerbaijan, a "self-regulatory" state agency, has accused BBC of "provocations" after the British agency took [an interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gya8Ry1ibno) from the Nagorno-Karabakh (now-former) State Minister's advisor Artak Beglaryan and SOAD's Serj Tankian.

[source;](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268041)

a new military academy is formed in Armenia after a merger of two structures

In June the Government issued an order to merge two universities run by the defense ministry: Vazgen Sargsyan Military University and the Marshal Armenak Khanperyants Military Aviation University. They will operate under "Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy".

The goal: Educate officers, train new types of border guards, conduct scientific research, and attract more applicants and scientists.

Military education will be one of the 4 main "clusters" in the upcoming "Academic City".

[source;](https://hetq.am/hy/article/159534)

==contractor soldiers earn $1,500/mo after going through a certification process as part of the new "Homeland Defender" recruitment program to create a backbone for a professional army: VIDEO

[video;](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268053) [more about the program](https://www.mil.am/hy/news/11230)

interview with military expert Artsrun Hovhannisyan

REPORTER: The Indian press has revealed that India plans to export 100 pieces of ATAGS howitzers to Armenia. Earlier we learned about Pinaka rocket launchers and AKASH missile systems.

ARTSRUN: The latest media leak points to something significant. I hope there will be more. India has very very many weapons that are interesting for Armenia. India is essentially becoming the 3rd or 4th manufacturer of weapons and defense systems. India is using Western and Soviet technologies.

REPORTER: Does our army *need* these types of weapons?

ARTSRUN: Yes. Artillery is still very important.

REPORTER: What other countries can sell weapons to Armenia?

ARTSRUN: Eastern European countries that were members of the Warsaw Pact, but also South Korea and Japan. The latter is growing its industry. We should also work with China and Sweden. The latter is fantastic and we must try to acquire weapons before they join NATO. Once Sweden joins NATO, there will be too much bureaucracy while importing weapons. We also have friendly NATO members France and Greece. The list is not small.

[source;](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHOwjtKdLc0)

how Armenian general Andranik blew up bridges and railways to assist the British army in the South Caucasus

It's June 17, 1918. [Andranik's] Armenian forces travel through Vayots Dzor province and reach Nakhijevan. They reach the Turkish village Shata, whose population had migrated long ago. There are countless number of hills surrounding Armenian and Turkish villages.

Armenian forces hired a local guide to help navigate because the terrain made them vulnerable to ambush attacks. They approach the Turkish-populated village Salasuz located on dominant heights.

To avoid clashes, they send a messenger to inform the locals that the troops are only passing through the territory. The Turkish population raises the white flag and greets the army. The soldiers were ordered not to stop or engage with the locals. The local ethnic Armenians, and many Turks, approach the troops to hug them. They are happy that the village isn't going to get destroyed.

The troops reach flat fields surrounded by Turkish and Armenian villages from both sides and the Iranian mountains in the front. The area that lies between them and Iran is controlled by Armenians. They had earlier successfully repelled the Turkish assault. The locals are stoked to see Armenian forces passing through their territories.

After a night of heavy party, the troops proceed to Nakhijevan city. In the meantime, they struggle to receive information from the outside world. They eventually find a telephone line and learn that, as dictated under a peace agreement, Armenians handed over the railways to Turkey.

Turkey is rushing to send its forces to Iran to outflank the British army that's advancing on Baku. The intercepted communication reveals that Turkish soldiers might reach Nakhijevan in 3 days. They had sent an envoy to Nakhijevan in advance to prepare the handover of the railways, but the envoy ran away after learning that Andranik's Armenian army was also advancing on Nakhijevan.

Andranik orders the railway bridge and tunnels located between Shakhtakht and Nakhijevan to be destroyed. A group is sent at night to carry out multiple explosions. The job is done. "The advancement of the English troops in Persia is temporarily secured."

[source;](https://www.aniarc.am/2023/09/02/vahan-badasyan-talk-artur-sahakyan-march-2018/)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16ag0hi/nagornokarabakh_oppo_leader_samvel_babayan_says/