cease-fire violations by azeris

[Yervant1]

The Huffington Post refers to Azerbaijani initiated clashes in Nagorno Karabakh

14:22, 11 April, 2016

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Violent conflict erupted in
Nagorno-Karabakh on April 2, killing hundreds. Azerbaijan violated a
cease-fire that had been in place since 1994. The situation remains
extremely volatile, despite a temporary truce. “Armenpress” reports
the popular “The Huffington Post” periodical referred to the latest
clashes on Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line and the political
developments going parallel.

Authors of the article David Phillips and Van Krikorian mention that
Russia and the USA must become more intensive in their mediation
efforts.

“Negotiations should include representatives of the Republic of
Nagorno-Karabakh. US law already calls for sanctions on Azerbaijan if
it acts aggressively. The Obama administration should implement
Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, imposing economic and
diplomatic sanctions on Azerbaijan to punish its aggression”, the
authors write.

Introducing the history of the conflict they mention that the
Nagorno-Karabakh population held a referendum in 1991, as the Soviet
Union was disintegrating. Christian Armenians voted overwhelmingly for
independence from Muslim Azerbaijan. Back in 1992, President George
Bush signed Section 907 into US law, which prohibits assistance to
Azerbaijan if it engages in aggressive military actions against
Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh. Section 907 was an important deterrent,
contributing to the cease fire. Since the conflict began, every US
Administration has been committed to a peaceful, negotiated solution.

The authors state that tensions in this “frozen conflict” have
increased in recent years. Escalating and well-documented cease fire
violations occurred without consequence. Inaction by the international
community encouraged Azerbaijan’s coordinated assault. Azerbaijan
recently spent $4 billion buying weapons from Russia. On April 2,
Azerbaijan used its upgraded air and land weapons to attack on
multiple fronts. Weapons included Smerch rocket systems, Grad
missiles, Russian-made T-90 tanks, TOS-1A flamethrowers, modern
helicopter gunships, as well as kamikaze drones. All told, over 40
Armenians were killed, including civilians. An ethnic Yezidi/Armenian
citizen, was beheaded by Azeri troops. Over 200 Azeri soldiers died in
the offensive. No territory was gained.

David Phillips and Van Krikorian document that Azerbaijan was not
alone in its aggression against Nagorno Karabakh. “According to
eye-witness accounts, Turkish troops and equipment were involved in
battles near the Iranian border. The Azerbaijani offensive was
immediately endorsed by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Nagorno-Karabakh will be returned to Azerbaijan.” Erdogan added, “We
will support Azerbaijan until the end.”

Azerbaijan claims that Armenia instigated the recent conflict.
However, Chatham House and the Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace maintain that Nagorno-Karabakh forces did not instigate attacks
on Azeri positions. Armenians consistently proposed monitors and
confidence building measures since 1994. Azerbaijan refused, calling
for a military solution. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense initially
took credit for initiating the offensive.

“Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev relies on a combination of oil
revenue, caviar diplomacy, and government crackdowns on fundamental
freedoms to maintain power. In the face of the recent oil price crash,
Azerbaijan’s economy is in decline and its currency has plummeted.
Azerbaijan’s civil society continues to oppose the regime’s
incarceration of journalists and human rights advocates. Igniting a
war with Armenia, even a short one, aims at distracting the Azeri
people from the regime’s abuses and economic insecurity.”, the authors
of the article write. They confirm that Nagorno Karabakh can have no
military settlement. As refers to the Minsk Group, they state that the
Group must bring back the full format of the negotiations, making
Nagorno Karabakh part of the political talks.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__armenpress.am_eng_news_843025_the-2Dhuffington-2Dpost-2Drefers-2Dto-2Dazerbaijani-2Dinitiated-2Dclashes-2Din-2Dnagorno-2Dkarabakh.html&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=mtgWlZSEua8zdlL6SDct3VMK5kPdjWwPlM1rsW6mAAA&s=s7hFCC8zyFbEm1-bHGthF1lYD5A2QhLSJWmHalocX1Q&e=

[Yervant1]

Before it’s too late

14:27 • 11.04.16

Below is an article by Mr Eduardo Lorenzo Ochoa, Director of European
Friends of Armenia, posted on neweasterneurope.eu.

For a future historian reading Europe’s history, the problem in
Nagorno-Karabakh might not pose a wider threat the way it does now.
Constantly manipulated as a “disputed territory”, a “separatist
movement” or a “breakaway region”, Nagorno-Karabakh makes headlines
from time to time. Alas, this was not always the case, with its
millennia–old churches and monasteries, the sort that Montserrat
Caballé admires, but skirmishes and warfare between the Karabakh
Defence Army and the heavily armed Azerbaijani Army are currently
occurring.

In the West, Karabakh has often been artificially presented as “an
Armenian aggression with Russian help to occupy Azerbaijani
territory”, and sadly enough some in Europe buy it. Sometimes, we are
manipulated to make artificial distinctions between our own values and
national interests. While being aware of the importance of principles,
which form the basis of our policies, we feel proud of our ability to
critically examine our own selves, attitude and lifestyles. And while
having principles is necessary, getting entrapped in dogmas is
dangerous. Have we ever tried to critically examine our labels, such
as “separatist”? Do any of us understand that a “breakaway” state
might be quite sustainable and much more democratic than its former
metropolitan power? That is what Freedom House suggests, putting
Karabakh’s ranking as “partially free”, compared to “”Azerbaijan which
is “not free”.

What happened between April 2nd and 5th constitutes a milestone for
our attitude towards this conflict and broke some dogmas that have
prevailed in Europe’s political landscape for the last two decades.
What the international community got from this seemingly intractable
conflict is first and foremost Azerbaijani interest in a resumption of
hostilities. Many internationally recognised think tanks like the
International Crisis Group, Chatham House and authoritative experts
like Thomas de Waal and Vladimir Kazimirov pointed to Baku’s regime as
a party interested in the resumption of warfare and therefore
responsible for the resumption of the conflict.

Secondly, Azerbaijani troops carried out war crimes by killing a 12
year-old child and wounding two others during the short occupation of
the Karabakhi of village Talish. Azerbaijani soldiers also killed and
maimed an elderly lady, born in 1924, and another elderly couple, all
from the same family, by cutting their ears in a style typical of
ISIS; these civilians had been unable to leave the village, This was
one of the most horrible and haunting scenes from this last conflict.

Importantly enough, the international community started distinguishing
between the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Armenia proper.
International media giant CNN interviewed Karen Mirzoyan the foreign
minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic along with his Azerbaijani
counterpart, while Al Jazeera and France24 quite reasonably asked for
comments from NKR envoys in the US and France respectively. The
message that these Karabakhi officials conveyed to the international
community was crystal clear; “it is not a matter of territory; it is a
matter of self-determination”. The US State Department spokesperson
highlighted right after the beginning of the conflict that it should
be resolved according to international law, the UN Charter and the
Helsinki Final Act, which also include the principle of
self-determination. This specific emphasis is not surprising given the
president of Azerbaijan’s increasingly autocratic style of governance,
with one of the worst human rights records, rife corruption and
offshore scandals, as the Panama Papers once again displayed recently.

And last but not least, we are gradually getting the most important
message from this mini-war. We ought to act before it’s too late.
Azerbaijani attacks on civilian populations clearly indicate its
intention to wipe the Karabakhi people out of their land. Ominously,
Turkey, which still does not recognise the Armenian Genocide
perpetrated on its territory as indicated by thousands of resolutions
(including one made by the European Parliament in 2015) is encouraging
Azerbaijan to solve its own “Armenian problem”. An EU candidate
country that hopefully might play a stabilising role in its
neighbourhood is by all means helping Azerbaijan in its anti-Armenian
policies. Armenian ghost towns in Turkey are clear indicators of what
Turkey’s vision regarding Armenians looks like. We cannot and must not
tolerate another Armenian Genocide right on Europe’s gates.

Hopefully, a future historian will read this article as a lesson
learnt; otherwise we will all be judged by history for our lack of
will to prevent the destruction of an ancient civilisation. We would
be acting like new Neville Chamberlains, who tried to appease or
contain an aggressor and got something much worse – a world war, a
holocaust and a dark page in Europe’s collective memory.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.tert.am_en_news_2016_04_11_lorenzo_1987967&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=-OuEIKjQZ1hNbp38KTfe-UE_2M6sE3BuBf_rwGH_x4Y&s=Xw5aB1f7G22DEefarxMSJJKnWR9y6vXEDht2zI8R5VU&e=

[Yervant1]

Karabakh to seek international condemnation of Azerbaijan for
humiliation and desecration of Armenian dead soldiers' bodies

YEREVAN, April 11. /ARKA/. The authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) will seek the strictest condemnation of Azerbaijan by
the international community for humiliation and desecration of the
Armenian soldiers' bodies, killed in the hostilities on April 2 -5 on
the line of contact and the punishment of the people guilty of this
war crime, the Nagorno-Karabakh foreign ministry said.

The NKR State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing
Persons under the mediation of the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) and the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman carried out the exchange of dead soldiers’ bodies on 10 April
near the village of Bash-Karvend.

The bodies of 18 NKR soldiers, killed during the latest upsurge of
violence, were handed to the Karabakh side. The State Commission in
the presence of ICRC staff recorded that the bodies were subjected to
humiliation and desecration.

"This act, being a flagrant manifestation of anti-humanism, runs
contrary to the laws and customs of war and is a grave infringement of
international humanitarian law, in particular, the requirements of the
1st Geneva Convention of 1949 for the Amelioration of the Wounded and
Sick in Armies in the Field, the third Geneva Convention of 1949 on
the Treatment of Prisoners of war, as well as of the 1st Additional
Protocol of 1977 to the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949, relating
to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts," the
Karabakh ministry said.-0-

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__arka.am_en_news_politics_karabakh-5Fto-5Fseek-5Finternational-5Fcondemnation-5Fof-5Fazerbaijan-5Ffor-5Fhumiliation-5Fand-5Fdesecration-5Fof-5Farmenia_&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=WQCkdrIKezNSGCef3brdalLuzXHqJ3DA0l3j1e46L4E&s=fhgZAVo4hXt4n9s13OwKnl0JQN8i-tez8blfmzvpmG4&e=

[Yervant1]

Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem engaged in anti-Armenian racist activities

in Europe’s heart

 

14:15, 11 April, 2016

 

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem is engaged

in racist activities in democratic Europe’s heart. Turkish Worker's

Union in Sweden in collaboration with Azerbaijanis living in Sweden

held an anti-Armenian demonstration with slogans “Turk, wake up” in

relation with the military aggression of Azerbaijan against Nagorno

Karabakh Republic.

 

“Armenpress” reports in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, Sergels

square, vice president of the federation Barbaros Leylani announced

that “Time for the unification of Turkish republics has arrived, it is

already matured”.

 

Leylani expressed conviction that their successors will unite “the

Turkic world”. “Turks awaken, Armenian scums must be finished, die

Armenian scums, die, die”, he said.

 

Leylani expressed, who introduces himself as “Turkman descendent”,

thanking all the present, said, “By this we show all the Scandinavian

countries and Europe that we do not want bloodshed, but we are ready

for it”.

 

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_7LyR6cOdyf8&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=oqrAIeohJVvkKS1_nFPmAAVRpfJl0D6EAaPXeKKtBt8&s=oYvU9IixqhDhzBskonuCEzRakvulCXTrj7dC-LLz6nw&e=

 

 

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__armenpress.am_eng_news_843024_t

https://youtu.be/7LyR6cOdyf8

 

Anti-Armenian protest in Stockholm, Azerbaijani and Turkish

nationalists chant "Death to Armenians!"

 

POLITICS 21:01 11/04/2016 WORLD

 

An anti-Armenian demonstration was organized by the Coordination

Center of Azerbaijani Associations in Sweden in the square Sergels,

Stockholm, on Saturday, April 9. Over 100 people took part in the

demonstration. Representatives of local Azerbaijani and Turkish

organizations were among the protesters, the Armenian embassy in

Sweden said in a statement.

 

During the demonstration, the vice chairman of the Coordination Center

of Turkish Associations in Sweden, Barbaros Leylani, made a speech in

Turkish coming up with anti-Armenian and nationalistic statements.

“It is time for uniting the Turkish nation. The Turks will wake up

putting an end to the Armenian dogs. Death to the Armenian dogs!

Death! Death! I appeal to believers. There is an expression, which

says that love toward your motherland is a sign of faith. The

motherland should not be given to others. It is time for the Turkish

republics to unite, it is high time! Thank you everyone for your

presence. By this, we show all the Scandinavian states and Europe that

we do not like blood, but we are ready to shed it,” Barbaros Leylani

stated.

It is noted that the protesters shouted “Death to the Armenian dogs,

death, death, death!” The video can be accessed here

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.youtube.com_watch-3Fv-3D7LyR6cOdyf8&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=g6_2bOSI2dI5wIllW3Fn_1TaI0Vfn_OxzppJYx19390&s=rFbuWQizmM9cJ28LnUrOwem73JYGqxTu99f_z_BpBOI&e=

 

 

Leylani’s speeches were widely spread in Sweden, as a result, the

reaction of the central media followed. TV4, a local TV channel,

presented the video during its evening news program. Swedish MP

Fredrik Malm and the chairman of the Coordination Center of Armenian

Associations, Karlen Mansuryan, condemned such aggressive statements

commenting the demonstration and Leylani’s statements on air. Leylani

himself gave a telephone interview reiterating his statements and

noting that he had not had a prepared speech and that he had not meant

anything of the kind.

 

It is reported that several dozens of representatives of the Armenian

community in Sweden have already contacted the police demanding to

bring a criminal case against that person.

 

In its turn, the Swiss Göteborgs-Posten

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.gp.se_nyheter_sverige_tal-2Dp-25C3-25A5-2Dsergels-2Dtorg-2Dd-25C3-25B6d-2D-25C3-25A5t-2Dde-2Darmeniska-2Dhundarna-2D1.185463&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=g6_2bOSI2dI5wIllW3Fn_1TaI0Vfn_OxzppJYx19390&s=WZDXYdPG1yAVZCVSyB0CfoRh5fFDiqsxZgTxtSNfZlM&e=

 

reports that Leylani’s speech caused a stormy reaction and criticism

for racist statements. “Instigation against other ethnic groups and

calls of murdering them are totally inacceptable. We do not tolerate

racism and hatred. We uphold the right of freedom of speech and

assembly, but not instigation against other groups,” MP Fredrik Malm

said commenting on Leylani’s speech.

The website Dagens Nyheter

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.dn.se_nyheter_sverige_starka-2Dreaktioner-2Dpa-2Dturkiskt-2Dtal-2Dom-2Darmeniska-2Dhundar_&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=g6_2bOSI2dI5wIllW3Fn_1TaI0Vfn_OxzppJYx19390&s=sV91rWsgz9QWlmgwfUzOEjZLzRKQXBl0LkeSb0EwblI&e=

 

reports that according to Simon Sahakyan, the secretary of the

Armenian Academic Association in Sweden, Leylani’s statements reflect

the Turkish authorities’ position led by the president Recep Tayyip

Erdogan. He reminded the audience of the Armenian Genocide in the

Ottoman Turkey and highlighted that this historical fact has already

been recognized by many states despite Turkey’s resistance. It is

noted that in 2010, the parliament of Sweden also adopted a resolution

on the Armenian Genocide.

 

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https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.panorama.am_en_news_2016_04_11_Anti-2DArmenian-2Dprotest-2Din-2DStockholm_1560770&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=g6_2bOSI2dI5wIllW3Fn_1TaI0Vfn_OxzppJYx19390&s=HHRWEEK8haxudi95_fY5P4yXW4vL1h5XQ2QwcUDSADw&e=

 

[Yervant1]

Insulting remarks about Armenia force resignation in Sweden

21:34, 11 Apr 2016

Siranush Ghazanchyan

http://www.armradio.am/en/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Barbaros-Leylani-1-620x300.jpeg

The deputy chairman of a Swedish-Turkish association has resigned after derogatory comments he made about Armenians last week, the Associated Press reports.

Barbaros Leylani, who called for death “to Armenian dogs” at a Stockholm rally, apologized Monday on the association’s website saying he’d been misunderstood.

Swedish legal watchdog Juridikfronten said it had reported the speech for incitement to racial hatred to police and an Armenian association says it also plans to make a police report.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2016/04/11/insulting-remarks-about-armenia-force-resignation-in-sweden/

https://youtu.be/7LyR6cOdyf8

[Yervant1]

How can you call these azeri monsters humans?

All bodies handed over to the Armenian side mutilated, Deputy DM tells ICRC Rep.

22:22, 11 Apr 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan


Armenia’s First Deputy Defense Minister David Tonoyan met with Mrs.
Caroline Douilliez, Head of the ICRC delegation in Armenia

The parties discussed issues related to the search for and recovery of
the bodies of the soldiers killed as a result of the military actions
unleashed by Azerbaijan.

David Tonoyan expressed gratitude to the Head of the ICRC Delegation
for organizing the exchange of bodies with the mediation of the ICRC
and OSCE representatives.

The Deputy Defense Minister informed Mrs. Douilliez that all 18 bodies
handed over the Armenian side were mutilated, which not only violates
the second paragraph of Common Article 3 of all 1949 Geneva
Conventions (…To this end, the following acts are and shall remain
prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the
above-mentioned persons: (a) violence to life and person, in
particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and
torture), the 1st paragraph of Article 130 of the 1949 4th Geneva
Convention, the provisions of Article 4.2. of the Second Protocol
Additional to the Geneva Conventions, but also constitute a heavy
crime under the criminal jurisdiction of any legal state.

David Tonoyan noted that the Armenian side will pursue the
condemnations of the crimes committed by the Azerbaijani armed forces
by the international community and specialized bodies.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.armradio.am_en_2016_04_11_all-2Dbodies-2Dhanded-2Dover-2Dto-2Dthe-2Darmenian-2Dside-2Dmutilated-2Ddeputy-2Ddm-2Dtells-2Dicrc-2Drep_&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=b7Hnmpc5uy3dwFjXM6Wpct9wSuCIcj-0jhOV9qXmBYo&s=YcBMtfnrGVhSfnncFzMJ27uiIJUCQnTda7XOiIgl8J0&e=

 

[Yervant1]

Decapitation and War Crimes: Azerbaijan Gets Another Pass

11/4/16

Kyaram Sloyan was decapitated by Azerbaijanis during last week’s attacks

BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN

Imagine, for a moment, that you are a parent who last week buried your
son—a soldier killed by Azerbaijani forces during a massive attack on
the Nagrono-Karabakh Republic. Imagine you are the same parent who is
forced to re-inter your son because you’ve just received his
decapitated head after the International Committee of the Red Cross
reclaimed it from Azerbaijan in an exchange of dead soldiers.

That was the case for the Sloyan family of the Artshavan village in
central Armenia. Their son, Kyaram, who would have turned 20 on April
27, was part of a unit stationed in Martakert and was killed and
reportedly decapitated by Azerbaijani soldiers. His headless body was
buried on April 4. The disturbing images of his head made the rounds
on social media last week posted by Azerbaijanis who celebrated
Sloyan’s brutal death as a victory.

Then there was the elderly couple in Talish. They were brutally
murdered in their home and their ears were cut off as trophies by the
Azerbaijani armed units. Those pictures also made the rounds on social
media to sensitize international observers of the tactics employed by
the Azerbaijanis during their latest attacks on Artsakh.

The Armenian Defense Ministry is accusing Azerbaijan of wide-spread
war crimes, after seeing the ICRC-mediated exchange of bodies.

Yet the international community has, once again, opted to give
Azerbaijan another pass for its well-documented savagery, which has
been on display since the beginning of the Karabakh conflict. From
Sumgait, to Kirovabad, to Baku and Maragha and Shahumian Azerbaijan
has shown the world what kind of brutality its soldiers are capable
of. The silence or lack of reaction has emboldened Azerbaijan to use
such violence as a cornerstone of its military strategy.

At a press conference on Saturday in Yerevan, the US Co-chairman of
the OSCE Minks Group. James Warlick, said that he and his colleagues
were “disturbed” by reports of brutality on the frontline and went on
to regurgitate the same old assertion that the sides must sit down to
negotiate for a lasting peace in that region.

Russia, on the other hand, was more hands on in its decision to turn a
blind eye on Azerbaijan’s atrocities. It’s foreign minister Sergei
Lavrov traveled to Baku to shake the hand of the perpetrator Ilham
Aliyev, while it prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev went to Armenia to
promise that Russia would continue selling Azerbaijan weapons, which
are then used against Armenians in Artsakh.

The world also quietly watched as Ramil Safarov used an ax to murder
the Armenian soldier Gurgen Markarian. When Safarov was handed back to
Azerbaijan, which welcomed him as a hero, the world community was
retrained in its condemnation.

As both sides are being pressed by mediators and world leaders to
refrain from escalating military operations, families like the Sloyans
have to live with the brutality that befell their son and await news
of future such incidents, because for the Warlicks of the world such
savagery is an inconvenience in their quest to advance a “peace plan”
that is skewed to Azerbaijan’s favor that they are willing to give
Baku yet another license to kill.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__asbarez.com_148586_decapitation-2Dand-2Dwar-2Dcrimes-2Dazerbaijan-2Dgets-2Danother-2Dpass_&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=CNwvZIlP6_2IN4awaJaK9f1S61Yft6zW5IrnpBX8KnE&s=OeSdOC7aIngsIDMSFQ1a0RfTmS7vgsuvuRAFX9em0yA&e=
Մարտակերտում զոհված Քյարամ Սլոյանին վերահուղարկավորել են

https://youtu.be/wAqzzidU7As

Edited April 12, 2016 by Yervant1

[Yervant1]

Մարտակերտում զոհված Քյարամ Սլոյանին վերահուղարկավորել են
https://youtu.be/wAqzzidU7As

«Սինջար եզդիների ազգային միավորումը» Քյարամ Սլոյանի դաժան սպանության փաստով կդիմի ՄԻԵԴ
https://youtu.be/MdswtIeYhL4

Թեհրանի եկեղեցիներում տեղի է ունեցել հատուկ պատարագ եւ հոգեհանգստի արարողություն
https://youtu.be/q8VAzdaLBCQ

Քուվեյթի հայ համայնքը պատրաստ է իր կամավորներով էլ պաշտպանել Արցախի ու հայրենիքի սահմանները
https://youtu.be/-jpjdmYvM-k

Գերմանիայի հայ համայնքը բողոքի ակցիա է անցկացրել եւ երթով շարժվել դեպի Բունդեսթագ
https://youtu.be/rdz22dwHGmA

Բելգիայում Ադրբեջանի դեսպանատան մոտ բողոքի ցույց է անցկացվել
https://youtu.be/tA22wXEl9bk

ՀՕՄ-ի նախաձեռնությամբ եւս օգնություն է հասցվում Արցախին
https://youtu.be/2As4tZV-lJk

Պետք է այնպես անել, որ զարթոնքը չմսխվի. Արմեն Ռուստամյան
https://youtu.be/N36_4QQZuAE

Նաիրա Զոհրաբյանը կոչ է անում սելֆի անող ոհմակին Արցախից արագ հետ կանչել Երևան
https://youtu.be/0x-X5Y-wcA0

Եթե ստատուս քվոն չպահպանվի կամ համապարփակ լուծումը չգտնվի, ԼՂ էսկալացիան կտեղափոխվի Երևան
https://youtu.be/_tW_bAfKh1o

Արցախի սահմանները վստահորեն պաշտպանվում են
https://youtu.be/vL6cU8G8TlU

Դարձյալ առաջնագծից
https://youtu.be/DxQfUxScmE0

[Yervant1]

Vitaly Balasanyan: The adversary thought we would be unable to retake
our positions after the shelling

POLITICS 10:29 12/04/2016

The attack by the enemy was not an unexpected move for the deputy of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic National Assembly, General, and a
participant to Artsakh war Vitaly Balasanyan.

“Telling the truth, I predicted (the attack) and was ready for it. I
used to meet our soldiers often for the last three months serving on
the frontline, and that was felt, side from that, Azerbaijani media
outlets and the development underway in Turkey and the Middle East. It
should have been evident to us that the military political field in
Turkey would transfer to another place,” the General said in an
interview to Artsakh TV Company.

As Balasanyan said, he first though of a war after the shelling
occurred on the night of April 2. “I was at home then, heard the
firing and immediately went to the place where I was obliged to be.
Everybody knew that I was the Commander of Askeran regiment and could
not but join our soldiers. I was quick to stand by our militaries,”
Balasayan noted.

He said the regiment gathered in a short period, consolidated and took
its defense positions. “Thank God, I can state we had no losses in our
regiment, except the two minor injures - on the finger and the
shoulder; those soldiers are now continuing their service,” Balasanyan
informed.

To his words for the Armenians the surprising thing was not that they
got consolidated to recover but rather the fact that an attempt was
initiated to solve the conflict through military means.

“That will fail as ethnic people live in Armenian and Karabakh, and we
have a one enemy. We could give timely response, firing in a due
manner without even a single missed shot, as all reached their
targets. That was due to the fact that our artillery personal and
specialists made a huge job to determine every meter of a certain
area. ”

“It is not that only Azerbaijan has drones, Karabakh Defense Army does
as well. We operate them on time and detect the people, the
coordinates, etc.,” Balasnyan underscored.

The General insisted that the adversary left major losses, suggesting
that a consolidated nations is hard to be defeated.”

Speaking on the strategy and tactic of the adversary, Balasanyan noted
that it was not illiterate and added: “They conducted a competent
warfare both in terms of strategy and tactic. The fact that their
operations failed does not speak of the incompetence. I am assured
they were seriously trained. They are not weak and we should not
underestimate Azerbaijan.”

“Our main goal was the mobilization within a short period of time,
reorganization, and our quick move, to take our positions. The
adversary thought we would be unable to retake our positions after the
shelling, since all the roads along the frontline were under shelling,
the third and forth roads behind the line among them.”

That is to say they conducted a competent war aimed at occupying the
roads we were to pass through to take our positions were under
shelling as well. Considering also the fact that was an easy task for
them, as they had drones, to fire from the air both at night and
during the daytime.
The question, which follows, is why they failed?

“The question should be addressed to junior Aliyev, General Staff,
Defense Ministry and to all commanders who are currently serving in
the Azerbaijani army. I am sure limited number of people had
literacy. The lower circle of the army is under perpetual oppression.
We often see them in their positions in hunger, thirsty and helpless.
We see both from the air as well as through our combat positions. No
soldier of Azerbaijan is to stand ready and defend “the motherland”. I
am confident that 80 per cent of their soldiers do not consider that
to be their motherland,” Balasanyan concluded.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.panorama.am_en_news_2016_04_12_Vitaly-2DBalasanyan_1561091&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=3QPxmIbN_0J99InRYwIQBpNWjw88UyF9nAatL6oxZNY&s=KO9WMSXBItuTzp0sI_Kq9rPYoQSuISaAR6gWK0ngeMk&e=

[Yervant1]

Embassy of Armenia to Sweden hopes the Government of Sweden will
ensure the security of Armenian citizens

POLITICS 12:50 12/04/2016

Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Sweden published a statement
concerning Barbaros Leylani’s racist threats.

“On April 9, 2016, a number of organizations representing the
Azerbaijani, Turkish and Turkmen communities in Sweden have organized
a demonstration in Sergels Torg square of Stockholm.

In the video footage of the demonstration, made available to the
public, the Deputy Chairman of the Turkiska Riksförbundet Mr. Barbaros
Leylani made several statements against the Armenians containing clear
expressions of incitement to violence, hatred and racial
discrimination, which received an overwhelming support from the
participants of demonstration and the organizers.

The Embassy condemns the incitement to violence and hate speech
against any ethnic, religious or other groups and deeply regrets this
exhibition of criminal behavior.

The Embassy strongly hopes that the Government of Sweden would condemn
this demonstration of hatred and xenophobia and would take all
necessary measures to ensure the security of the Armenian citizens and
the Armenian institutions in Sweden,” reads the statement.

Earlier, Panorama.am reported that over 100 Azerbaijani and Turkish
people took part in an anti-Armenian demonstration organized by the
Coordination Centre of Azerbaijani Associations in Sweden in the
square Sergels, Stockholm, on Saturday, April 9.

During the demonstration, the vice chairman of the Coordination Centre
of Turkish Associations in Sweden, Barbaros Leylani, made a speech in
Turkish coming up with anti-Armenian and nationalistic statements.
“It is time for uniting the Turkish nation. The Turks will wake up
putting an end to the Armenian dogs. Death to the Armenian dogs!
Death! Death! I appeal to believers. There is an expression, which
says that love toward your motherland is a sign of faith. The
motherland should not be given to others. It is time for the Turkish
republics to unite, it is high time! Thank you everyone for your
presence. By this, we show all the Scandinavian states and Europe that
we do not like blood, but we are ready to shed it,” he stated.

The protesters shouted “Death to the Armenian dogs, death, death, death!”

Leylani’s speeches were widely spread in Swedish media. Several dozens
of representatives of the Armenian community in Sweden have already
contacted the police demanding to bring a criminal case against that
person.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.panorama.am_en_news_2016_04_12_Embassy-2Dof-2DArmenia-2Dto-2DSweden_1561314&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=FkOzaJ3H8Nr81mKbMQ6ah4nhdy074x9xMUpsCfjHuSc&s=L69iiaBcsZk0D5RNwyW7ftb2dRuorSUx2c5Qc3Gv8cE&e=

[Yervant1]

Stepanakert: Baku sends Lezgin, Talysh and Avar minorities into Karabakh war

Tuesday, April 12, 00:29

Cynically sending Lezgins, Talish and Avar people into Karabakh war
Baku wants to set them against Armenians and reduce their number,
Nagorno-Karabakh's President's Spokesman David Babayan twitted.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.arminfo.am_index.cfm-3Fobjectid-3DAC8B8300-2D001B-2D11E6-2D94F40EB7C0D21663&d=CwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=zJLGnNm09MFFQCCC9YGIKNfK127Ro5L30C-sBxN6jTc&s=ZjAKajAXDgbxjNbB4T00fGwbXKK4vBBcnr6waRWC8Es&e=

[Yervant1]

Head of Israeli party urges to halt drone supplies to Azerbaijan

11:51, 12.04.2016

Region:World News, Armenia, Karabakh, Azerbaijan
Theme: Politics

http://news.am/img/news/32/17/92/default.jpg

Chairwoman of Israeli Meretz party Zehava Galon has sent a letter to Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon urging to halt supplies of Israel-made drones to Azerbaijan.

In a letter to the Defense Minister, the MP said Israel plans to send more drones to Azerbaijan in the next few days, i24news reported quoting Haaretz newspaper.

"As you know, Armenia and Azerbaijan are both friendly to Israel, and it is inconceivable that Israeli weapons be used in a war between the two countries over the Nagorno-Karabakh region," Galon wrote calling to stop supplies until Israel receives assurances that drones will not be used against Armenians.

Israeli MP also said that there is fear that “laws of war were violated with Israeli weapons.”

As reported earlier, the Armenian community of Israel condemned Israel’s sale of weapons to Azerbaijan.

Armenian Deputy Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan said Israel also offered to Armenia the same military products which it sold to Azerbaijan, “but there was no need for it because we gave other solutions to this, and as you can see, these weapons don’t work so successfully.”

http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/109435-160412-israel-to-provide-azerbaijan-with-more-drones-israeli-politician-claims

http://news.am/eng/news/321792.html

[Yervant1]

Azerbaijan must be forced to peace- expert says

YEREVAN, April 12. /ARKA/. According to an Armenian political analyst
Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan, it is impossible to achieve a steady and
lasting peace with Azerbaijan through negotiations.

"I am confident that Azerbaijan must be forced to peace. To do so we
need to be strong and have a well-fortified border,' he said.

According to the expert, failing to achieve any desirable result from
its latest aggression against Karabakh Azerbaijan is currently
engaged in active propaganda.

"We see what kind of crude methods Baku is using to show its capacity,
to impose its will on the Armenian state", he said.

According to Melik-Shahnazaryan, behind the stage diplomatic
consultations are underway now with Russian diplomats having held
meetings with both Armenian and the Azerbaijani sides.

"Russia is trying to expand its role in the solution of the Karabakh
problem, touting its role in reaching a cessation of hostilities on
the line of contact,' he said.

In the early hours of April 2 Azerbaijan launched a large-scale
offensive involving tanks, artillery and helicopters aiming to seize
at least some territory in and around Karabakh. The intense fighting
continued from 2 to 5 April. The NKR defense army successfully
suppressed the aggressive actions of the enemy, inflicting heavy
losses on its manpower and military hardware forcing Azerbaijan to ask
Russia to mediate a ceasefire. -0-

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__arka.am_en_news_politics_azerbaijan-5Fmust-5Fbe-5Fforced-5Fto-5Fpeace-5Fexpert-5Fsays_&d=CwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=b8pP0v4TqwNEvF6BPqZffNhVZ1AsBiqUX5GaCLLnxQc&s=FHkVZQRKTzFugEKFsz0d0Bj8U4IJeszt6fLCJrG8i4w&e=

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

Ադրբեջանական ուղղաթիռ և տանկ խոցած երեք զինծառայողներ պարգևատրվեցին մեքենաներով (ֆոտո)

Ամբողջական հոդվածը կարող եք կարդալ այս հասցեով՝

http://armlur.am/515579/

 

http://armlur.am/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12966347_1007054716042410_1092816783_n.jpg

http://armlur.am/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12999622_1003271753099957_1514814788_o-600x310.jpg

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Experts: Azerbaijan’s aggression against Karabakh bolstered by Turkish support

April 12, 2016


During the four-day war Azerbaijan’s adventure also stemmed from
Turkey’s support, said expert Levon Hovsepyan.

“Turkey made very hasty statements at the highest level. Ankara
officially encouraged, welcomed and expressed its support to
Azerbaijan. In a sense, this adventure of Azerbaijan to a large extent
also depended on Turkey’s support,” the expert told media on Tuesday.

According to him, there is a need to raise the issue at international
organizations: how is it possible that the state, which is involved in
the format aimed at peaceful settlement of the conflict makes racist
and inflammatory statements.

“Nationalist sentiments were also high within expert circles and
certain enthusiasm was observed within Azerbaijan in connection with
an alleged victory,” he said.

As regional neighbors, Iran and Georgia, appear to have demonstrated
unbiased behavior. The Iranian press provided balanced reporting also
citing the Armenian and Karabakh Defense ministries.

“From the very beginning the Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a
statement. They called for the conflict to be settled through
negotiations, based on international law,” said Armen Israelian, an
expert in Iranian studies.

According to him, it was basically stated that the Islamic Republic of
Iran has an impartial stance over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “At
the same time, Iran offered its mediation to facilitate the settlement
of the conflict.”

“Iran is in favor of the status quo, and their neutral position at
this stage is in Armenia’s interests, but at the same time two Turkish
spiritual leaders of Iran’s Northern provinces, as well as two MPs
made openly anti-Armenian statements,” he said.

Official Tbilisi was also impartial and generally called the sides for
a quick regulation. According to Alik Eroyants, an expert in Georgian
studies, unexpected was the reaction by Georgian media.

“There were only a few media outlets that did not present the position
of the Armenian side, providing more news reports from Azeri sources,”
he said.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.armenianow.com_en_news_region_2016_04_12_armenia-5Fkarabakh-5Fanalyst-5Frussia-5Firan-5Fturkey-5Fgeorgia_706_&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=Bcty_KXDsZbLYb3ecOWYw-Kf59mhhQ-DxV4ReCFGrlM&s=JFMDfRdPPXil-1-NjWQ2qhS6DFqjRBajKVwzGwqIj8s&e=

[Yervant1]

Michael Aramyan: Azerbaijani side tortured and then decapitated
Armenian soldiers

POLITICS 17:44 12/04/2016 NKR

The results of the forensic examination of the bodies of 18 Armenian
soldiers delivered by the Azerbaijani side aren’t ready yet, but the
external examination shows that they were brutally subjected to
torture, said Chairman of “Foundation Against Violation of the Law”,
Michael Aramyan.

It should be noted, that the NGO is dealing with issues related to the
torture of those 18 soldiers.
Aramyan also said that a criminal case on the death of the soldiers
has been opened on several articles of the Criminal Code.

“The criminal case was opened on violation of several articles of the
Criminal Code from murder to ill-treatment, torture, humiliation,
etc.,” added Aramyan, noting that the initial investigation is
realized by Artsakh enforcement authorities.

According to him, two of 18 soldiers are decapitated whose heads
haven’t yet been returned.
“One of the beheaded boys is from Yerevan, the other is from Artsakh.
Our boys have been subjected to torture and then beheaded,” Aramyan
said.

To remind, soldier Qyaram Sloyan, Yazidi by nationality, was also
beheaded. The dismembered head of the soldier was returned to his
parents who had to rebury their son.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.panorama.am_en_news_2016_04_12_Michael-2DAramyan-2DAzerbaijan_1561575&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=Y3lHJWXNBOowopNNeANV7UEudE6td2Yzwj1F957av4E&s=T9m5nY5chrSAWnHBw3PCIZxJb9SpZCQCP4_4SIrYyuA&e=

[Yervant1]

Russia must feel on its own skin that the only ally in this region is
Armenia: T. Poghosyan

19:34 • 12.04.16

Russia should step by step feel on its own skin and realize that there
is no other ally in the region, but Armenia, and relations towards
this ally really should be normal.

NA MP Tevan Poghosyan said in the interview with Tert.am, addressing
the issue of the sale of Russian weapons to Azerbaijan.

He noted that during these three days Russia's behavior had a very
negative blow to its image in the eyes of the Armenian community. He
noted that high-ranking officials in Armenia are trying to speak more
openly with the Russian representatives.

"But these statements require appropriate actions," - he said, adding
that such actions can also be in the international arena.

As for the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s statement that if
they do not sell weapons, this niche will be filled by other
countries, Mr. Poghosyan noted this is a primitive approach, with the
help of which Russia probably shows that by selling weapons, they try
to preserve control.

"One thing should be understood that any country, which sells weapon,
does not contribute to the peace in the region," - he said.

Despite this, he said that the best deterrent mechanism is when both
parties know that they have equal opportunity weapons, and when one
side has more, it attacks, which was proved by Azerbaijan on April 2.
He noted that Russia, France, and the United States are permanent
members of the UN Security Council, where they can raise this issue
and use the mechanism of sanctions.

"In other words, any country that sells weapons to Azerbaijan, will be
under international sanctions, and Russia knows very well what
sanctions are," - he said.

Mr. Poghosyan said in this context Russia does not put any difference
between its strategic partner and CSTO member and Azerbaijan and they
do not perceive the meaning of the word alley.

"We must learn lessons from this experience and promote our national
interests," he said, bringing the example of NATO in terms of support
to the allies.

He said that if the textbooks should contain an explanation of how
they ally should not act, then Russian example in these days will be
the best one.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.tert.am_en_news_2016_04_12_Tevan-2DPoghosyan_1989148&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=BmmjY-qCLtT35NxNZ89tdpEVGOcs3Zg0fbbhWsccE64&s=o5dLUQUZ8ZosbCX1i2IUfZ6sYDq_FONRmKZLexUu1Qw&e=

[Yervant1]

“Some time later, Aliyev can go for bigger adventures.”

April 12 2016

“Face to Face” program of “Aravot” hosts Artsakh war veteran Ofelia
Grigoryan and political scientist Stepan Grigoryan

Nelly Grigoryan – Ms. Ofelia, you did you feel in the morning of April
2 when the enemy’s encroachments were already known? What came first
in you: mother, soldier or a woman?

Ofelia Grigoryan – All three together. My husband and I are packed up
by the same ring. (Ofelia Grigoryan’s husband, a member of the
battalion “Shushi”, Norayr Shahbazyan, was again on the battlefield).
We were gathered to burn incense in memory of one of our friends and
we began talking, a few hours later, an announcement was made for the
Shushi special battalion that we should leave voluntarily. I asked one
question to my husband, what are we going to do? Who of us is going?
He said, “Hush, woman and sit down.” I objected as he had a health
problem and I said, I will go and a few months later you will come to
replace me. He said, when there is a need for it I will tell you.
There is a connection. My wish is great to leave with the next leaving
vehicles. Also, the mother spoke in me that my children are still
small. But God forbid, if the moment comes I will be there.

N. G. – Mr. Grigoryan, the events of the last two years around NKR
conflict alluded to such development of the conflict. But what was the
choice of timing by Azerbaijan?

Stepan Grigoryan – Prior to answering the question, I would like to
agree with Ofelia, our hero. Yes. We have interesting people. They
have a self-organized talent. People were not waiting for anyone. The
realized that it is dangerous. Even on April 1, I heard separate
officials saying that it is uncertain, we have not yet analyzed the
situation … but the people understood that this is not a usual
ceasefire violation.

The danger is close. People were giving blood, there were queues in
the military commissariats, angered young people who were refused to
go to the front. You cannot achieve this with primitive propaganda.
The self-consciousness is very high. The opposition, the government
and the public figures came together at once. It’s very important.
Thank you also to the Yezidi people for being next to us and with us.
We also have an Armenian army Yazidi victim. Both the people of
Karabakh and Armenia showed that they can come together very quickly.
The armies responded very proportionately.

There is one problem. How it happened that we missed the accumulation
of so many military equipment on the border? There is also a need for
analysis with regard to the work of the diplomatic sector but these
are issues to be discussed later.

Why are several factors convened in Washington now? No one greeted
Aliyev there. Erdoğan and the President of Pakistan warmly greeted
with him but David Cameron did not even shake hands with him. Not to
speak about the others. There are serious issues related to human
rights in his country, the price of oil is dropping, and when Aliyev
realized in Washington that it is not the point that he has money and
bribes everybody, it turned out that it is not the case. In
Washington, he fell in agony and began to calculate. Yes, these
calculations were in vain, Aliyev got a counterblow.

O. G. – We are the winning side. In addition, the fact that there is a
loser mentality in Azerbaijan, also economic, social, human rights and
political matters are added. Everything becomes very complicated.
Aliyev was seeing the solutions in rapid actions. Even if he had
preserved a hundred meters, it could proofread all the rest defeats by
reporting to his people. But he appeared in a worse situation than he
could imagine. We also have an internal revolt, discontent and so on
but they did not take into account, our cause is just. During peace,
our freedom fighter can leave and go to take a good care of his child.
But I assure you within one or two days, the guys of our battalion
called from Canada, Russia and other places and are coming.

N. G. – Mr. Grigoryan, Does the Karabakh conflict settlement enters a
new diplomatic phase under this agreement on termination of the
shooting, or we still have to wait for military developments?

S. G. – There is an opinion that with such attacks, Aliyev is testing
a variety of weapons: grad, Smerch, TOS-1, unmanned aerial devices and
so on. That is the reason for me to think that some time later he can
go for bigger adventures. Let us not be afraid but be ready.

Nelly GRIGORYAN,

“Aravot” daily

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__en.aravot.am_2016_04_12_175624_&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=Bua5Oq_L3ZTCo4mWah59NNtUelS9IM0MbWUWJ7Hos24&s=bZz6pYIuieWrzFWA30bd1_-b7rRW-7zib46FilyQp0Q&e=

[Yervant1]

Canadian ruling party: Violence against Karabakh was initiated by Azerbaijan

22:04, 12.04.2016

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved by peaceful means and
without violence, reads the statement by the Canadian ruling Liberal
Party representative Anthony Housefather, who is also the chairman of
the Standing House Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

“This is a conflict that must be resolved by peaceful means and not
violence. I am very pleased that a cease fire is in place. However,
almost all reports indicate that the violence was initiated by
Azerbajian and as such I strongly condemn this armed intervention and
call for the Minsk Group to place permanent monitors on the ground as
opposed to being limited to periodic inspections,” he said.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__news.am_eng_news_321932.html&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=Yw_jgnHmUdex5X6Ou1bJDSc8pPR4FK6OLXXJrXU69TU&s=zIfGbXi22paSQon5bCncdBQ6fFV2k9-mPF5YQeUavrc&e=

[Yervant1]

MEPs: Azerbaijan not accepting proposal on investigative mechanism


00:31, 13.04.2016


The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are calling to accept investigative
mechanism on ceasefire violations and Armenia agrees to accept this
mechanism, several members of the European Parliament said during the
debates on situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The only reason for not establishing such a mechanism is refusal of
Azerbaijan, Bulgarian MP Angel

Dzhambazki said, adding that this is not acceptable that strategic
partner Azerbaijan is acting this way. He emphasized that Azerbaijan
received support from Turkey only, and its purpose is to fight the
Armenian people.

In turn, member of the European Parliament from the Czech Republic
Jaromír Štetina recalled that Bolshevik Soviet Union assigned the
territory of Karabakh to Azerbaijan and to support Azerbaijan means
“to endorse brutal nationalist Soviet policy of that time”.

Meanwhile, Petras Auštrevičius representing Lithuania, spoke about
Russia’s role in the conflict, noting that “bloody money” from arm
sales is pouring to Russia’s budget. He called on the European
Parliament to stop destructive dominance of Russia in the region and
come back to talks as a global player and a major negotiator to the
conflict.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__news.am_eng_news_321964.html&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=9bs6pfURU1UogWNz9slJXLtLp4aRVq3lv7bOrx-q11k&s=A3I0tVR7IOJPl6o3m9QbdpoHSiHX7mqsoECjjBp7TDA&e=

[Yervant1]

British MEP links Azerbaijan’s attack on Nagorno Karabakh with oil price decline

01:24, 13 April, 2016

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMRNPRESS. The recent attacks against Nagorno
Karabakh displayed that Azerbaijan has mobilized its entire military
capacity on the contact line, attempting to seize territories at the
expense of huge losses. “Armenpress” reports British MEP Charles
Tannock made such an announcement at the European Parliament. “I am
happy the armistice was established and I call the sides to
immediately return to negotiation table under the auspices of the
Minsk process”, the MEP said.

He also stated that the declining oil prices should not be bypassed in
this situation, and the impact it has on the domestic strategy of
Aliyev, which is to create a distracting reality in the external
world. “When war ended in 1994 we all heaved a sigh of relief, but the
situation did not stabilize. Since, hostilities continued mainly on
the line of contact in the form of sniper shootings”, the British MEP
recalled.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__armenpress.am_eng_news_843266_british-2Dmep-2Dlinks-2Dazerbaijan-25E2-2580-2599s-2Dattack-2Don-2Dnagorno-2Dkarabakh-2Dwith-2Doil-2Dprice-2Ddecline.html&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=O0JPn4bYBGSJV24crQb15GNSEY3qQoBF3dp56mFjujs&s=EKXflCdeYMv4psszDJTK7j3rgMYyD8euLSFFoKV5rTc&e=

[Yervant1]

Los Angeles City Hall lit up in Armenian tri-color, as community holds
vigil for peace in Artsakh

11:53, 13 Apr 2016
Siranush Ghazanchyan

In response to the recent shelling of Armenian villages in Artsakh
(also known Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijan, Los Angeles Councilmember
Paul Krekorian and other elected officials joined with
Armenian-American civic and religious leaders to make a call for peace
in the Caucasus region, where violence by Azerbaijan’s government has
taken dozens of innocent lives in recent days.

L.A. City Councilman Paul Krekorian told KPCC that the vigil was meant
to call for peace and to denounce what he described as the “outrageous
militarization and vicious attacks” by Azerbaijan against those living
in the Artsakh region.

“They have routinely violated the ceasefire since 1994, but this last
week has seen a dramatic escalation of that,” Krekorian said. “It’s
outrageous, it’s unjustifiable, and it should be denounced by the
entire international community.”

Krekorian said that peace in the region is in the interests of the
United States and that these attacks may constitute war crimes.

“So that’s why we are putting together this vigil, and that’s why
we’re going to continue to demand action from our own government in
Washington to ensure that we bring peace back to this region,”
Krekorian said.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.armradio.am_en_2016_04_13_los-2Dangeles-2Dcity-2Dhall-2Dlit-2Dup-2Din-2Darmenian-2Dtri-2Dcolor-2Das-2Dcommunity-2Dholds-2Dvigil-2Dfor-2Dpeace-2Din-2Dartsakh_&d=CwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=grZLmI9cv3fAu73g1nm7FFUh7BtO6fTrSOXRBBU0IKI&s=zPEhkfrH2I0u1DTD2WBJlqroLuAmc5IV1jxxISLq8w8&e=

[Yervant1]

The Fallout from War in Karabagh

Mirror Spectator
Editorial 4-16 April 2106

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg569895/pngea3F9lnBJz.png

By Edmond Y. Azadian

As the consequences of the recent flare-up on the contact line are revealed to the world, the two sides in the conflict are left licking their wounds and counting their casualties. Once again, the awareness sinks in the mind of global leaders that the phrase “frozen conflict” for Karabagh (Artsakh) is a misnomer. Furthermore, the dispute over the enclave is not confined between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but lies right on the fault line of the East-West confrontation and a conflagration may trigger an even broader conflict that the immediate stakeholders can either predict or control

Whatever the reason behind the aborted blitzkrieg by Azerbaijan, the problem is fraught with dangerous implications.

An editorial in London’s Guardian cites a number of reason for the recent outbreak: “All sorts of local factors could pile extra fuel on the immediate fire: nationalist sentiment and warmongering slogans on both sides and indeed, revelations from the Panama papers which pile extra pressure on Azerbaijan’s presidency, which could make incendiary talk of reconquering lost territories seem like a welcome diversion.”

War mongering is not in Armenia’s interest, but the foreign press always needs to look un-biased by citing some falsehoods in the guise of presenting both sides of the issue. In addition to the above reasons, Turkey’s intentions and inclinations to incite Moscow must not be discounted. Although President Barack Obama snubbed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Washington’s Nuclear Summit for his self-serving NATO activities, he would certainly welcome the latter’s role as the point man in NATO’s aggressive moves in the region.

During the brief war, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced that Ankara would “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Azerbaijan in the face of Armenian aggression and occupation until the end of time.” And he added, “until all Azeri territory is recovered, including Nagorno Karabagh.”

Turkey is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and therefore is supposed to remain impartial. In fact, it was the only country that expressed any sort of enthusiasm for the scary flare-up.

The premature congratulations sent to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev “for his victory” by Turkish President Erdogan and the dispatch of ISIS fighters from Raqqa via Turkey to Azerbaijan demonstrated amply that Turkey was the main instigator of the recent conflict.

Armenia did not receive from any quarter the kind of support that Ankara offered Azerbaijan, not even from its strategic ally, Russia, which at best plays the role of mediator to restore ceasefire. Even bombing the civilian population in Armenia’s Tavoush region did not trigger any clause of collective security treaty with Russia. Instead, adding insult to injury, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, after visiting Yerevan and Baku, announced that Russia will continue to sell arms to both Armenia and Azerbaijan to maintain military parity.

It turns out that even that absurd policy of parity was not sustainable because Armenia was fighting Azeri forces with weaponry from the 1990s. Armenia scarcely has the resources that the oil-rich Azerbaijan does. That is to say, until recently, when the price of oil globally took a huge hit, sinking with it the Azeri manat.

It is a confirmed fact that 85 percent of Azerbaijan’s arms are supplied by Russia and the rest by Israel and the US. Recent arms contracts with Russia amount to $4.5 billion and with Israel to $1.6 billion.

It is ironic that an Israeli Knesset delegation visited Armenia and placed a wreath at the Genocide Memorial while Israeli Defense Forces were manning Kamikaze drones on behalf of Azerbaijan, creating new Armenian martyrs during this solemn month.

A paper published by Frederik Wesslau, the director of the Wider Europe Program, states that “none of the co-chairs of the [OSCE] Minsk Group — Russia, US and France — have demonstrated the sort of political will necessary to find a solution to the conflict. Of the three, Russia has the most leverage over Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also the least interest in seeing an actual resolution to the conflict. The unresolved conflict makes both countries dependent on Moscow and severely limits their options for geopolitical alignment. Russia is able to play the sides against each other, giving it substantial influence over the entire South Caucasus region.”

Moscow’s policy has been duplicitous; while Prime Minister Medvedev points his finger at Turkey, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov apologetically states that “we are not blaming Turkey for the recent war.”

Incidentally, Lavrov is an ethnic Armenian and his contribution to Armenia is no different than Politburo member Anastas Mikoyan before him and several Byzantine emperors of Armenian origin. Indeed, in their zeal to demonstrate their allegiance to Byzantium, they destroyed historic Armenia.

Lavrov has announced that all the elements of a final solution are in place and may be implemented soon. That does not auger well for Armenia, which, at this time, is bracing for the worst.

Last November, during the Russian-Turkish standoff, there were voices heard at the Russian Duma seeking to abrogate the Kars Treaty of 1921, which gave rise to speculations by pundits that a correction of the Armenian-Turkish border was around the corner and that some Turkish-occupied territories may be ceded to Armenia. In addition, the raging civil war in Turkey gave more credence to those speculations.

But Turkey is about to solve its internal conflict the way the Sultans, Ittihadists and the Kemalists have done before now: by massive slaughter of the restive Kurds with the collusion of the West.

Now, the political tides are turning and a sense of isolation has descended upon Armenia.

The elements of a settlement to which Lavrov has been referring could not be anything other than the Madrid Principles, which call for territorial concessions by Armenians against some relief to Karabagh for self-rule, projecting a referendum for an as-yet-undetermined date to shape its political future. Russia has always sought to introduce its own peacekeeping forces between the warring factions in order to expand its presence in the Caucasus.

At this point, the sobering facts are falling into place to assess the course of events realistically.

War-weary citizens of Armenia sometimes grumble that their miseries stem from the Karabagh conflict.

However, now everyone realizes that an aggression against Armenia by Baku is a necessary element of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. If there was no Karabagh problem, Aliyev still would claim the territory of Armenia proper itself, based on a manufactured history that Armenians have been recent settlers in “historic Azeri” lands. That claim also jibes well with Ankara’s Ottomanist ambitions to wipe out Armenia from the map of the region, as Armenia has been a tough nut to crack while Georgia is more amenable to major Turkic designs. Christianity does not seem to amount to a political factor for Georgia as they have been coordinating their policies with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Also, prevalent Russophobia in Georgia has proven to be conducive to the internal Turkification of that country.

For the Turkic world, Armenia remains Russophile, deserving a different treatment and different fate. But historically that Russophilia has not always yielded political dividends.

The sudden sense of isolation has sobered up Armenians in the homeland and around the world.

A dramatic initiative was taken by the former President Levon Ter-Petrosian to call on Serge Sargisian for consultation over the grave prospects of Karabagh situation. There is no full report on their discussions but Ter-Petrosian has stated that this is not the time to criticize the government’s mistakes, which is also a positive signal for all the naysayers around the world. Up until recently, Ter-Petrosian was calling to dismantle or “deconstruct the kleptocracy of Serge Sargisian,” while the latter called his predecessor an “unprincipled politician.” Levon Zurabian, Armenian National Congress Party’s front man in the National Assembly had announced earlier that any territory evacuated by Armenian forces must be filled by peacekeepers, causing some criticism. Now the events seem to veer that way.

The two presidents’ meeting certainly focused on the situation in Karabagh. Despite bravura on the Armenian side, some strategic positions remain in Azeri hands, boosting their morale.

There has been a plethora of spontaneous rallies of Armenians around the world. Volunteer groups are moving to the frontline and a worldwide protest movement has been triggered from Los Angeles to Moscow and from Paris to Buenos Aires. The Supreme Patriarchate of the Armenian Church has arrived in Karabagh, accompanied by Catholicos Aram I of Cilicia. There is a patriotic fever reminiscent of the Sardarapat war in 1918.

It is hoped that this worldwide solidarity results in permanent unity throughout the current crisis and beyond.

There is talk that the two presidents’ meeting will impact the domestic political realignment in Armenia shaping the upcoming elections in 2017.

It is a common adage that peacetime disperses Armenians and crises rallies them around, while survival and victory demand national unity at all times.