2023 September 7

Daily news wrap-up

Gen. Samvel Babayan's interview: Assassination; Closed-door decisions on Agdam road & Yevlakh negotiations; Direct talks w/ Baku || Armenia to fly a satellite made in Armenia || Apple Park architect to build a $212m World Trade Center in Yerevan || AM-West relations || $1 billion on tourism
by ar_david_hh

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Azerbaijan uses starvation as a tool to annihilate Armenians: Foreign Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh

FM Ghazaryan: The cause of every third death is hunger and malnutrition. We only have a reserve of flour and bread for a few more days.

Families are separated. Hospitals cannot function normally. Land cannot be cultivated because of fuel shortage.

Those who can cultivate their land are regularly attacked by Azerbaijani soldiers who seek to prevent any kind of economic activity to further aggravate hunger.

Leading international experts define the situation as genocide. Azerbaijan is using the famine as a tool to exterminate Armenians. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. The world must show political will. It is necessary to take immediate measures to end the blockade, otherwise, it will be too late.

(1) Adopt a UN Security Council resolution demanding Azerbaijan open the Lachin corridor.

(2) Sanction Azerbaijani leadership.

(3) Send humanitarian aid via air or land.

We call on the free and progressive world to prevent the genocide. //

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/artsakh_foreign_minister_azerbaijan_uses_starvation_as_a_tool_to_annihilate_armenians/)

Azerbaijani soldiers open fire at an ethnic Armenian farmer in Nagorno-Karabakh to prevent harvest of wheat

The latest incident aimed at inducing famine took place on Thursday at 12:10 p.m. near Sarushen village. The bullet(s) struck the combine harvester. The farmer wasn't injured.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268346)

Nagorno-Karabakh-based employees of the HALO demining organization are exhausted

Manager David Crawford: People are exhausted after 9 months of [blockade]. My staff are very tired despite the fact that they keep going.

[more,](https://twitter.com/HALO_NK/status/1699464754601828842)

UN Security Council members should take measures to prevent a new explosion in the South Caucasus: PM Pashinyan

PASHINYAN: The military-political situation has significantly worsened over the past week. Azerbaijan is accumulating troops along the Nagorno-Karabakh contact line and the AM-AZ border. The rhetoric of anti-Armenian hatred has intensified in the Azerbaijani press. The policy of encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia continues.

Azerbaijan continues to illegally block the Lachin Corridor. The humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh has reached its peak.

It is obvious that Azerbaijan plans to launch a new military provocation against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. To justify such provocation, false theses are put into circulation.

The international community and member states of the UN Security Council should take serious measures to prevent a new explosion in our region.

To address the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, the NK-AZ dialogue within the framework of the international mechanism, and the unblocking of the Lachin Corridor are essential.

At the same time, I emphasize the commitment of Armenia towards the agreements reached earlier. Armenia is ready and wants to sign a peace treaty normalizing relations with Azerbaijan. //

[source,](https://www.primeminister.am/en/statements-and-messages/item/2023/09/07/Cabinet-meeting-Speech/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdUha6hF3ME?t=331)

Defense Minister Suren Papikyan

(1) Discussed the regional security and the situation on the AM-AZ border with French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies.

(2) Held a phone call with his Cypriot counterpart to discuss security issues concerning Armenia and Cyprus. They discussed mutual cooperation.

(3) Postponed the trip to Cyprus amid reports of rising tensions on the AM-AZ border.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenian_defense_minister_discussed_regional_security_with_french_ambassador/) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/749314/պապիկյանն-ու-կիպրոսի-իր-պաշտոնակցի-հետ-քննարկել-է-անվտանգային-իրավիճակին-առնչվող-հարցեր/) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268381)

Russia wants Armenia to stick to CSTO

MFA of Russia: Armenia is a CSTO ally. The spirit of the alliance should adhere to the practice of conducting exercises with countries that are also a member of the alliance. Of course, we paid attention to [the joint US-AM military exercise next week]. We are concerned.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/russian_foreign_ministry_expresses_concern_over_armenian_american_exercises/)

interview with Nagorno-Karabakh's main opposition figure Samvel Babayan: president's resignation, Agdam road, NK-AZ negotiation document

Read the [Monday report](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16ag0hi/nagornokarabakh_oppo_leader_samvel_babayan_says/) if you missed the bombshell revelations made by Babayan about the transition of power, the Agdam road, and the document he sent to Azerbaijan.

REPORTER: What effect will Arayik's resignation have on your political activities? There has been a shift in balance.

BABAYAN: Russian FSB's 5th department is tasked with the activities in Nagorno-Karabakh. They decide whether Arayik leaves, who becomes the next leader, etc. There is no big politics here. They are simply changing the actor with Arayik's resignation.

Earlier they deployed Ruben Vardanyan to help Arayik with governance. It only made us more isolated. This clan doesn't want to admit their actions have harmed us so they're trying to change the president instead. Now they have a replacement who is also part of the former regime.

This will lead to major problems for Nagorno-Karabakh. They are cooling the negotiation process instead of activating it to resolve the issues. They'd rather negotiate about minor issues relating to trucks here and there.

This is a crime against the people and it won't resolve anything. We must have a more comprehensive negotiation document, we must negotiate ourselves, and this must be done immediately.

But the clan in power was told [by Russia] that they are good agents and must continue to govern. It's not the Russian state per se that's doing this, it's the 5th department of the FSB, which is responsible for activities in ex-Soviet republics. All the decisions are made by the FSB and implemented by their agents here.

Russia has reassured Azerbaijan that the Agdam road will open in a few days from now. These are not politicians. They are criminals. They are direct agents of a foreign power and therefore must be dealt with.

REPORTER: By FSB's 5th department, do you mean the pro-Russian "5th column"?

BABAYAN: No, no, no. It's an actual FSB department.

REPORTER: Did they replace Arayik with someone else to [prevent you from having the opportunity to come to power]?

BABAYAN: No. Arayik was unable to carry out his duties. Russia had demanded Nagorno-Karabakh to allow Azerbaijani trucks to enter from Agdam, followed by the opening of Lachin. Russia believed this would lower the tensions. Their plan is to take incremental steps here and there to drag this conflict down as long as possible "until the good days".

However, some political forces were publicly against Arayik opening the Agdam road. ARF and Ruben Vardanyan installed road barricades on the Agdam road. But these forces later met Arayik's replacement who told them that "we have no choice but to open the Agdam road and hold negotiations with Azeris in Yevlakh [Azerbaijan]".

Remember how they were calling those a "red line"? Today it's a "green line". Why did they agree? Because everyone has already successfully received their chairs in the government.

The opposition parties in Armenia must come clean and publicly admit that their puppets in Nagorno-Karabakh have agreed to the Agdam road and Yevlakh negotiations. They should stop calling me a traitor [for wanting to negotiate with Azerbaijan directly]. The real traitors are them and their puppets.

REPORTER: What is the outcome of this political change in Nagorno-Karabakh?

BABAYAN: The current frozen state in Nagorno-Karabakh doesn't allow Armenia to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan and establish relations with Turkey. Constant border clashes. Constant threat of Azerbaijani troop accumulation on borders. Constant tension. They think they can drag this long enough until they see "better days", but in reality, they will drag it long enough until Russia improves relations with Azerbaijan and decides to gift the entire Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan, just as they have done throughout our history.

That's why I'm against the strategy of delaying things. I urge people to understand the severity of the issue and stand up to these foreign agents. This conflict can be resolved. They have instead further complicated it.

REPORTER: There are certain reports that the future of several politicians is in danger. There are circles who do not want you to come to power under any circumstances. Are you afraid of being assassinated?

BABAYAN: My entire life has been one risky journey. If I go, I'm going to take them with me. I will put them down right inside their houses. That's why they understand they need to behave. The monkeys who claim I'm organizing a bloody coup against the regime are mistaken. The public must take to the streets and boycott the ["transfer of power" on September 8th]. I'm not a presidential candidate myself because their passport department refused to certify me. It'll be litigated in court.

Their replacement guy Shahramanyan has the support of 22 MPs right now. That's the minimum required to be elected as president. I think there is a chance he might not receive all 22 and there will be a second vote.

They are lying to the public that "freezing" the conflict will help. It won't. They might bring a few trucks here and there with the help of Russia, but pretty soon Azerbaijan won't agree to these activities and Russia's attempts to further freeze the conflict. We must negotiate peace right now.

REPORTER: Lavrov's plan envisages the subjugation of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan with very limited cultural autonomy. Would the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh agree to live under those conditions?

BABAYAN: As I've said in my previous interviews, Lavrov's plan is intentionally made terrible so Nagorno-Karabakh wouldn't agree to it. It's a distraction, an attempt to delay the peace process.

REPORTER: Did you secretly send your negotiation package to Azerbaijan without consulting with others?

BABAYAN: There have been accusations that I submitted my plan to Azerbaijan independently, without authorization. Do you know who is complaining about it? Ruben Vardanyan, the guy who landed in Nagorno-Karabakh with a "parachute". He doesn't understand that I know this country and the conflict much better than him.

Vardanyan called for me to be "punished" for sending the documents to Azerbaijan. Listen, foreign agent, you are the one who must be punished for being a spy and leading us into isolation. You must answer for it.

I had President Arayik's authorization to send the documents to Azerbaijan. We haven't received a response to some of the paragraphs yet.

We must not under any circumstances allow the Russian plan of "freezing" the situation. If we choose direct negotiations with Azerbaijan instead, it is possible to receive the maximum possible autonomy. I can officially declare that right now.

I've already explained why the clan is against this. The illiterate [Russian] agents are following orders [from Moscow] instead. They don't understand what they are doing.

REPORTER: So you sent your document to Azerbaijan separately, without the knowledge of other political parties?

BABAYAN: I've been working on it over the past 3 years, since the war. We've discussed it during Security Council meetings, with the Foreign Ministry, etc. For a while, they ignored my plan. President Arayik eventually agreed to discuss and send that package to Azerbaijan.

REPORTER: What are the chances that *this* was the reason why they replaced Arayik? His cooperation with you...

BABAYAN: No. Arayik's removal has nothing to do with my negotiation plan. On August 16th a group of businessmen with Nagorno-Karabakh origins, with the participation of Rusian FSB's 5th department, decided to remove Arayik. The idiot deserves it.

The clan understands that they can't play the same games with me if I'm the president, so they are working against me. We have too many foreign agents. I'm going to launch and conclude this process until the end. We will negotiate with Azerbaijan to find solutions.

REPORTER: Why aren't there 40,000 people outside of your window with demands to appoint you as the leader and overrule your "passport rejection"?

BABAYAN: The clan has raped and plundered the country for 23 years. They are obviously afraid of facing accountability if I come to power. They don't care about Nagorno-Karabakh. They each own a mansion in Yerevan. Maintain the crisis here to be able to overthrow the government in Armenia by claiming they surrendered Nagorno-Karabakh. That's their plan.

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

Armenia's First Lady Anna Hakobyan meets Ukraine's President Zelensky and First Lady

News reports from [Tuesday](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16b4771/armenia_vs_russia_diplomatic_spat_deepens_armenia/) and [Wednesday](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16bxdj6/letter_sent_to_uns_genocide_prevention_office/) have details about her visit and Armenia's humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Zelenska thanked the First Ladies for participating in the summit in Kyiv. [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG_Q17JR-bw) of Hakobyan's speech.

... Azeri media warns about a big scandal in Azerbaijan-Ukraine relations after Anna Hakobyan's invitation to Ukraine

Azeri state media Caliber writes that a high-profile scandal may break out, causing a deep rupture between Azerbaijan and Ukraine.

... Anna Hakobyan visited schools in Kyiv

Thousands of digital gadgets will be donated to Ukrainian students. [Photos](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268411).

Student: What is Armenia doing to strengthen relations with Ukraine?

Hakobyan: That's why I'm here :)

[Facebook post ft. John Lennon,](https://m.facebook.com/wifeofarmenianPM/videos/628303632761979/) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/159804) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268357) [source,](https://factor.am/684932.html) source: redacted] [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268411) [source,](https://factor.am/685305.html)

U.S. Helsinki Commission praises Armenia's decision to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine

Commission: Armenia’s decision to send aid to Ukraine is both welcome and a powerful sign of our shared liberal democratic principles, and common stance against wanton aggression.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268360)

at this time EU doesn't plan to cancel energy contracts with Azerbaijan, however...

... Azerbaijan's refusal to help end the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh will have a "practical impact" on the EU's relations with Azerbaijan, according to Joseph Borrell.

[source,](https://factor.am/684916.html)

why is Armenia delaying the appointment of a representative to the Russian bloc CSTO?

KHANDANYAN, ruling party MP: There is a technical procedure to appoint a candidate. I don't know who and when will be appointed. //

Context: Armenia recalled its representative to the Russia-led military bloc to appoint him as an ambassador elsewhere. The representative was not recalled "for consultations", indicating that it might be a regular diplomatic reshuffling rather than a political gesture against Russia.

==... why did Armenia-Russia relations worsen suddenly?

KHANDANYAN: There has been no substantive change in the recent period. Since 2022 Armenia has voiced about Russia's inaction in the Lachin corridor and the insufficient response to the invasion of Armenia proper. We did not receive the response we were expecting from CSTO and Russia.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rUwD89WQm8)

Pashinyan goes apeshit after learning how tiny Armenia's embassy was in the UK

We learned on [Wednesday](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16bxdj6/letter_sent_to_uns_genocide_prevention_office/) that Armenia is buying a $22 million 5-storey building in downtown London to upgrade its embassy.

PASHINYAN: We are very grateful to the [local Armenian organization that was essentially donating the area for the current embassy] but we've been wanting to upgrade the embassy for quite some time now. Those who have visited the embassy, and based on the photos I've seen, no self-respecting country can operate an embassy in such conditions.

We have this issue in many places. Our embassy is a single pew with the flag next to it. I have instructed to ensure that Armenia has proper embassies everywhere. This is mandatory if we want the diplomatic work to be effective.

It's impossible to understand how our embassy in the UK was in this condition all these years. Missing windows, leaky roofs, and holes in the floor are unacceptable from now on.

The new embassy building in London will be the property of the Republic of Armenia. There were negotiations around another property deal that didn't go through, so we went with this option.

We paid attention to the selection of the district, the street name, its prestige among business and diplomatic communities, etc. It matters because it defines whether [important figures] will accept our invitation to visit the embassy or not, and the impression they will form about Armenia and our diplomatic services.

If you think $22 million is too much, remember the famous asatsvatsq: "We are not rich enough to buy cheap things." Having a Republic is an expensive luxury. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdUha6hF3ME?t=3194)

Turkey's soccer federation bans Azerbaijani and Armenian flags during the Turkey-Armenia soccer match to prevent annoying morons from ruining the beautiful game

Turkish press wrote that the Azeri flags will not be allowed during tomorrow's Euro-2024 match between AM-TR. The police will scan at the entrance. The press describes the move as a scandal of massive proportions.

The claim was confirmed by Azeri soccer fans in Turkey who added that only Turkish flags will be allowed.

Azeri fans aren't satisfied. *"We are supposed to be brothers. Hello? HELLO?"* Azeri fans have decided to boycott the game. *(the game hasn't launched yet but it's already Turkey 0:1 Armenia)*

[source,](https://factor.am/685045.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268362)

Aram MP3's generic song dedicated to Armenia's national soccer team: VIDEO

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvi4QwmWJpM)

ուշադրություն։ Տելեգրամում մեծ ծիծիկներով կամ դոդուկներով յուզռները կարողա շպյոն լինեն

Azerbaijan has charged an activist with espionage after she allegedly sent information to Armenian intel agents disguised as a Telegram user wanting to meet. The activist denies knowingly sending info to Armenian agents, but she admits that someone who claimed to be Russian had asked her to photograph and send certain information.

This scheme was earlier used by Azeri intel to gather info about Armenia.

The activist was one of the people who shut down the Lachin corridor in December 2022. Some of these activists, who were in reality paid agents sent by the Azerbaijani government, later complained that the government refused to pay them for the time spent blocking the corridor.

[source,](https://factor.am/685104.html)

3 students abducted by Azerbaijani soldiers return home

The soccer players from Nagorno-Karabakh were abducted last month while attempting to cross the Lachin corridor to Armenia, causing an international outcry.

[source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/159824)

small sellers in Armenia complain that Russia's "Amazon" is driving them out of business

Wildberries is Russia's largest online retailer. It's popular in ex-Soviet republics. It has operated in Armenia since 2018 and established local warehouses in 2022-2023 to simplify logistics and expedite delivery.

Small sellers in Armenia complain about being outpriced by the giant. They held a protest in front of the gov't building on Thursday with demands to shut down the giant's physical facilities in Armenia.

Wildberries has admitted that a "technical glitch" had caused certain items in Armenia to be sold at a steep discount. Local small sellers aren't satisfied. They see a threat in the consumers' ability to purchase cheaper goods online.

REPORTER: Can you explain how a product imported by Wildberries from Russia to Armenia is so much cheaper than locally sold prices?

KEROBYAN: Last year we created conditions to ensure the IRS treats every business equally. When the Armenian consumer buys something from Wildberries, the company now pays VAT to Armenia's IRS. Many of our smaller businesses don't pay this VAT, which actually puts Wildberries at a disadvantage.

Products from Wildberries are cheaper because it is a very big retailer. This is expected. It's the economy of scale. They get the products at a discount price because they buy them in bulk.

REPORTER: Are you going to solve this problem?

KEROBYAN: We are studying the complaints submitted by several local businesses. We'll see if there are anti-competitive practices. The businesses should contact the Competition Protection Committee directly.

REPORTER: But how can the products imported by Wildberries be so much cheaper?

KEROBYAN: Wildberries buys and imports them in bulk. They often buy them directly from the factory, whereas small sellers buy them from a reseller who is a reseller.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/business/stop_wildberries_initiative_demands_online_retailer_s_withdrawal_from_armenian_market/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPyFhINvqFs?t=9)

citizens of Panama can enter Armenia without a visa soon

The decision is reciprocal. Armenian citizens will be allowed to enter Panama without visas.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/tourism/armenian_government_cancels_visas_for_panamanian_citizens_/)

... not just Panama

There is also a visa-free regime in other South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Ecuador. Work is underway with Peru.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268349)

... list of countries with which Armenia has a visa-free regime

[the list](https://www.mfa.am/en/whoneedvisa)

tourism continues to boom: arrival statistics for first 8 months

2023: 1.60 million

2022: 1.04 million

All of 2022: 1.67 million

Where are the tourists coming from? 51% Russia, 163k Georgia, 96k Iran.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/tourism/about_1_6_million_tourists_visited_armenia_in_eight_months_of_2023/)

$1 billion investment to create 20 tourism clusters across Armenia

Sisian Poghosean, Tourism Office: We plan to carry out a 10-year investment program to create 20 tourism clusters worth $1 billion, mostly in provinces.

The first three clusters will appear in the Areni community (wine), Gyumri (cultural), and Dilijan (adventure and ecotourism). There will be roads, water, and power supply. //

Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan hosted World Bank representatives to discuss the financing.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/tourism/armenia_plans_to_carry_out_10_year_tourism_development_program_worth_1_billion/)

new agricultural subsidies

The Government has decided to subsidize the price of grapes to allow cognac manufacturers to remain competitive on global markets amid the strengthening of currency dram which has caused difficulties for cognac exporters.

>when purchasing more than 5 thousand tons of grapes, companies will receive a subsidy of AMD 30 million for each next thousand tons, up to 10 thousand tons.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/business/armenian_government_to_subsidize_grape_purchases_by_cognac_producers/)

first-ever satellite made in Armenia will fly to space with the help of SpaceX: PHOTO/VIDEO

Armenia-based Bazoomq space research laboratory is working on a CubeSat-style satellite called Hayasat-1. It's a joint project with the Center for Scientific Innovation and Education (led by a diasporan) to train satellite engineers in Armenia.

It will be tested this month and released in October through Falcon-9. The knowledge will allow the team to work on larger projects later.

The 1 kg satellite will spin the planet every 90 minutes. The mission will last 6 months. It will collect, send, and receive data.

Right now the goal is to learn how the process works and establish a framework of cooperation with the government because they need to go through certain approval processes, etc. They want to create an ecosystem to allow other startups to flourish.

This particular satellite won't have a camera but the future ones could. The developers asked the minister to fix the unreliable power grid in Yerevan because frequent power outages could hinder their work. *[will this shit finally convince the government to upgrade the grid?]* In any case, the company said they will soon install uninterruptible power supply devices.

The company will also build its own "clean room" with ISO standards. They are currently renting it from the Physics Institute.

The minister said as part of the new space strategy they could increase funding and launch joint projects with private firms.

[video showing the design;](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ZOb2CmaDg?t=6) [article;](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1118991.html)

Yerevan will have a massive "World Trade Center" building to house international conferences, concerts, business forums, hotspots for tourists, expo areas, startup spaces

Construction company RenShen presented the $212 million project to the government for approval. It's expected to create 10,000 jobs. There will be 4 and 5 star hotels as well.

PASHINYAN: It will be in place of the HayPost [post office] building on 22 Saryan St. Modern construction standards will be introduced in Armenia. Since our independence, there has never been a complex of this scale. It will help Armenia raise the *"we are open for business"* flag. //

... who is the developer?

VAHAN KEROBYAN: The World Trade Services Association was founded in New York in 1969. It's an active international business community that allows local businesses to find international investors and partners. Armenia-based Renshen became a member of the Association in 2021.

There are 310 similar World Trade Centers around the world. These buildings quickly become the "go-to place" of the city. The buildings will take 123,000 m^2.

MHER GRIGORYAN: Armenia is the only country in the region without a World Trade Center. Being the last means we can have the best quality and technology.

... who will build the complex?

Armenia-based Renshen has invited the international architectural giant "Norman Foster" who has developed the Apple Park in California, Germany's Reichstag Building, New York's skyscraper Hearst Tower, the City Hall of Southwark (London), Millennium Bridge in London, Bilbao Metro, and many more.

... who will own the complex?

50% investors, 30% HayPost, 20% Government.

The company will buy HayPost's shares within the next 5 years. The revenue will help develop HayPost. It will have a new modern sorting facility to handle more parcels.

[photo of the Hotel+Trade Center](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268345), [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/159818) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/business/business_center_worth_more_than_200_million_will_be_built_in_yerevan_in_lieu_of_main_post_office/) [more details,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NiUY2KWkWI?t=29)

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