Yervant1 Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 Azerbaijan lost 4719 troops in two weeks 12:50, 11 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Unified InfoCenter released updated data of Azerbaijani military losses of personnel and materiel.4719 troops of the Azeri military were killed in action amid the attacks on Artsakh. The Azeri military also lost 165 UAVs, 16 helicopters, 17 warplanes, 510 armored equipment, 4 TOS systems.Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 Hollywood star Michael B Jordan expresses support to ArmeniaSaveShare6 12:33, 9 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. American actor and producer Michael B Jordan expressed his support to Armenia amid the ongoing Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh).The actor posted a photo on Instagram story, showing an Armenian man holding the Armenian flag. He wished peace for Armenia, using the following hashtags #peaceforArmenians, #endgenocide. “Sending love to my Armenian friends”, Michael B Jordan said.Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 World Geostrategic Insights Oct 11 2020 The Exploitation of Turkish Nationalism in the Armenian-Azerbaijani War 11/10/2020 Conflicts International Affairs By David Davidian As the signal-to-noise ratio decreases in the reporting of events surrounding the September 27 Azerbaijani assault on the Armenian-inhabited region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a much more surreptitious current has received virtually no reporting; Iran. David Davidian Influential think tanks generate their well-crafted equivocation and prevarication, never really following the evidence and keeping readers cleverly occupied and furious at claims such as “there have been some reports of Jihadists being recruited by and transported to the region by Turkey,” when it is not only clear they have been recruited, with videos of scores being slaughtered by Armenian forces and transcripts of radio transmissions in Arabic suspiciously ignored. After last July’s border flareup, with its display of gross Azerbaijani military incompetence, Turkey proclaimed active support for Azerbaijan. Within days of the flareup subsiding, Turkey began war games in Azerbaijan on Armenia’s borders. Turkey never brought home its advisors, trainers, or equipment. Turkey actively recruited and transported Libyan and Syrian Jihadists over Georgian airspace into Azerbaijan to act as cannon fodder in place of Azerbaijan soldiers. One need only peruse flightradar24’s archives to verify this activity. Turkey’s F-16s and AWACS have participated in fighting Armenians. On September 30, the Turkish military assumed control of Azerbaijan’s Air Force. On October 10, an elite force of some two hundred elite Turkish soldiers attacked an Armenian town, many hours after the recent humanitarian cease-fire was to have commenced. Turkish soldiers are embedded within the Azerbaijani army and its command and control. Rather than deter Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman designs, some regional and world powers appear to have used his Nazi-like dreams in their interests. Just as Jihadists, which are fighting against Syria’s Assad, can be useful idiots in the short-term, Turkey has been directly encouraged twice to increase its recent expansionist actions. The first was when US President Trump gave Erdogan the green light to enter Northern Syria, which is now under Turkish occupation. The second was when US Secretary of State Pompeo described the current Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict as one over real estate, interpreted by the Turks as another green light. Without even mentioning Turkish actions against Armenians, NATO’s official website posted, “Turkey is a valued NATO Ally” in its report on NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s October 5 visit to Turkey. This comes on the heels of Erdogan proclaiming, in a July 14 governmental address, “to complete what their ancestors began, this time in the Caucasus,” Erdogan was referring to the 1915 Turkish genocide of the Armenians. The last time rabid Turkish nationalism was used to such an extent was in the lead up to and during the first world war and British-backing of Arab nationalism to dismantle the Ottoman Caliphate. One outcome of such virulent Turkish nationalism was the genocide of the Armenians, as they were in the way of a Pan-Turkic Empire. Does anybody care if Erdogan proclaims Jerusalem as his city? Apparently not, as Israel tolerates such outbursts along with Turkey’s anti-antisemitism. However, it doesn’t appear that the grand prize is eliminating the Armenians, but rather dragging Iran into a confrontation, probably with Turkey. There have been several reports of Azerbaijani UAVs and shells falling in Iran. Of particular interest is that on October 7, Azerbaijani troops attempted to provoke Armenians into firing into Iran. Many hundreds of Azerbaijani troops purposely placed themselves in a position where Armenian artillery would violate the Iranian frontier. The Azerbaijani soldiers were trapped between Armenian forces and the Iranian border and were decimated by the hundreds. The Armenians urged Iran not to allow Azerbaijan troops to escape into Iran. With northwestern Iran populated with Azerbaijani-speaking Iranians and the Iranian military on high alert along its entire border with Azerbaijan, Iran could be dragged into this conflict. It is no secret Israel has been arming Azerbaijan with not only well over $5B in high technology weaponry, but Amnesty International said on October 6 that Israeli-made cluster bombs are being used against civilians by Azerbaijan. Turkey, Israel, Pakistan, Islamic Jihadists, their supporters, and military suppliers to Azerbaijan are being used to establish conditions were Iran may be forced to react militarily in a way that could not be created by sanctions or internal covert actions alone. Azerbaijan would never have attacked the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh or Armenia proper without such allies. Provoking Iran in such a manner could cause the extinction of what remains of the Armenians. I don’t say this as somebody living a comfortable life in some Western European country, but as one who packed up and made moved to my homeland, Armenia. My family, friends, society, and nation are under the existential threat of destruction. The Armenians face what the former mayor of Baku, Hajibala Abutalybov, who served between 2001 and 2018, in 2005 stated in a meeting with a municipal delegation from Bavaria, Germany, “Our goal is the complete elimination of Armenians. You, Nazis, already eliminated the Jews in the 1930s and 40s, right? You should be able to understand us.” Author: David Davidian (Lecturer at the American University of Armenia. He has spent over a decade in technical intelligence analysis at major high technology firms. Yerevan, Armenia). (The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy or views of World Geostrategic Insights). https://wgi.world/the-exploitation-of-turkish-nationalism-in-the-armenian-azerbaijani-war/?fbclid=IwAR0vKVdI9fJdhEMgmImsUaVHR95qK8HQ-eglUo63X-ICL83TX29N6s2cfMU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Azerbaijan went to talks by understanding consequences of its actions, says political scientist SaveShare 13:39, 10 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Political scientist Tevan Poghosyan says the Armenian Army, as well as the diplomacy have forced Azerbaijan to understand the consequences of its actions and eventually go to talks.“Azerbaijan actually was stating that it would not go to a ceasefire as long as the Armenian troops have not been withdrawn from Artsakh, but in fact it agreed to a ceasefire. This shows that Azerbaijan’s actions have no link with what has been said initially. I am sure that from the very start our army, our soldier and also our diplomacy have managed to create such situations for Azerbaijan that they eventually went to negotiations, by better understanding the consequences”, the political scientist told Armenpress. He added that despite the agreement on cessation of hostilities, the Armenian side should not lose the vigilance.According to Tevan Poghosyan, the adversary will try to rearrange its forces even during the ceasefire declared for humanitarian purposes. It may even try to purchase new weapons. “In my view Azerbaijan will again try to go to escalations. We need to use this time right, gather our forces and be able to fill the respective gaps”, he added.The agreement on declaring a cessation of hostilities for humanitarian purposes in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact entered into force on October 10, at 12:00. However, the Azerbaijani side ignored it and launched at attack in the direction of a position called Karakhambeyli at 12:05. The Artsakh Defense Army units are taking respective measures to stop the adversary’s attack.Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031113.html?fbclid=IwAR3d4F-CjtgufFQ4MRlg5Pepj4d-A7lXYvqj3oBpDmUiGYvHPjri-AR54wo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Public Radio of ArmeniaOct 11 2020 Azerbaijan targets an ambulance transporting the wounded Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosyan has addressed an open letter to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). The letter reads:Dear Dr. Ghebreyesus,I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the military attack of Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).Today, when the whole world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, when the international community is mobilizing its efforts to mitigate socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, and when all the leaders, including the UN Secretary-General, are calling for a global ceasefire, the Azerbaijani armed forces, launched large-scale airborne, missile and land attack along the entire line of contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan, targeting civilian settlements, infrastructure, and schools, including in the capital city of Stepanakert resulting in numerous civilian casualties and destruction.The aggression of Azerbaijan is happening in the midst of the global health crisis which is severely hampering the national, regional and global Covid19 response efforts and facilitating the spread of the virus.The military attack unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and perpetrated with the direct involvement of Turkey and the Turkish-backed foreign terrorist fighters have led to the most intense and destructive escalation in the region since the 1990s. This genocidal Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance brings more destruction and devastation while the COVID-19 pandemic keeps spreading.Despite the constant shelling of civilian objects, including humanitarian and environmental ones, our medical personnel perform their duty, fighting for the lives of the wounded, including foreign journalists, severely injured as a result of deliberate attacks of the Azerbaijani armed forces. Unfortunately, several medical workers lost their lives while conducting their duty. Even on October 11, when a ceasefire was already declared, Azerbaijan targeted an ambulance transporting the wounded.Dear Director-General,Currently, we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in the Republic of Artsakh, when civilians are deprived of essential medical services and are horrified by bombings and rocket strikes. The entire peaceful population, including children and the elderly, is under permanent danger to lose their lives and health.We urge the World Health Organization which is a leading organization involved in the global coordination for mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic to take appropriate measures to stop the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the military aggression of Azerbaijan and aggravated by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.If this massive military aggression by Azerbaijan continues to target the civilian population and infrastructure in the Nagorno-Karabakh, the international public health community’s ability to protect the most vulnerable people from the virus will be severely compromised. https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/12/azerbaijan-targets-an-ambulance-transporting-the-wounded/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Only Artsakh’s recognition would stop perfidious Azerbaijan – Foreign Ministry SaveShare 16:04, 10 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh issued a statement on violation of the humanitarian truce by Azerbaijan, the ministry told Armenpress.The statement says: “We strongly condemn the perfidious violation by Azerbaijan of the agreement on a humanitarian ceasefire for the exchange of prisoners of war and bodies of the killed in action, reached with the mediation of the Russian Federation. Particularly egregious is the fact that the triple alliance of Azerbaijan, Turkey and international terrorists have launched an offensive immediately after the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh announced cessation of fire, as part of the humanitarian truce. Azerbaijan's actions have once again demonstrated that it is a rogue country, which is not willing to fulfill its obligations even for minutes.Today's perfidious attack is a conclusive evidence that Azerbaijan uses the negotiations exclusively as a cover for preparation of military aggressions.Under these conditions, the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh remains the only way for the international community to stop the rogue country. The international recognition will provide for the necessary legal and political mechanisms to guarantee peace and security both for the Republic of Artsakh, and for the entire region". https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031140.html?fbclid=IwAR1pyJus-lt4D3HXU-ssXJW3KPk0nkl1L9ygUvpW0Qwp07qsplzl1yaHChU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Your Erie, PAOct 11 2020 In case you missed it:Erie residents with Armenian backgrounds hold demonstration for peace in Perry Square Local NewsPosted: Oct 11, 2020 / 03:05 PM EDT / Updated: Oct 11, 2020 / 03:05 PM EDT There was a peaceful protest held in Penny Square on Saturday October 10th.A group of Erie residents who had Armenian backgrounds came together for a demonstration for peace.The organizer of the protest said that they are advocating for peace in the war torn area of Artsakh.Armenia and a neighboring country have accused each other of breaking a truce over this war torn area.Local Erie residents with Armenian backgrounds gathered together to promote peace and support one another as some may have lost family and friends to the conflict.The organizer of the event said that these protests are happening all over the United States and the world while promoting peace in these regions of conflict.“For us, this is life and death so we’re out here fighting and we’re standing together and we’re more united than ever and it’s unfortunate that it’s over these circumstances,” said Nicolas Nasibyan, Organizer of the Demonstration.The organizer of the demonstration said that these protests are happening all over the United States and the world while promoting peace in these regions of conflict. https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/in-case-you-missed-it-erie-residents-with-armenian-backgrounds-hold-demonstration-for-peace-in-perry-square/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Iran’s Rouhani says presence of terrorists in NK conflict zone is dangerous for entire region SaveShare 17:40, 10 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. During a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Iran Hassan Rouhani said the military operations in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone have worried Iran a lot, the Iranian Presidential Office reported.“The possible intervention of some third-party countries in this conflict will expand and prolong the crisis, and we do not see it in the interest of regional countries”, the Iranian President said. Emphasizing the need to protect the borders of Iran and the lives of fellow Iranians living in border areas, Rouhani said: “Peace in the region is of great importance to us”.The President also expressed concern over the presence and participation of some terrorist groups in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, emphasizing that the presence of terrorists could be dangerous both for Iran and Russia and for the entire region.“If the conflict continues, the situation in the region will become more complicated and will cause wider financial losses and leave many dead”, the Iranian President said, stressing the need for joint efforts to cease the clashes, establish a ceasefire and start the negotiations.The President praised Russia's efforts to establish a ceasefire and the start of talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and stressed the importance of the implementation of ceasefire and its continuation, and announced the Islamic Republic of Iran's readiness to provide any assistance and cooperation in this regard.In his turn the Russian President stated that they understand Iran’s concerns over the regional crisis. Putin said Tehran’s position on the NK conflict is very important and welcomed the continuation of consultations with Iran for the resolution of the issue. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031152.html?fbclid=IwAR0LMQ2Nka13MsxI-DikoiupnNVzvApGCjpONQ3o0NefRKs1_eCiEczUKIs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Russian war reporter supposes the saboteurs who invaded Hadrut were Turkish special forces SaveShare 19:30, 10 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The reporter of Russian WarGonzo notes in his footage that there are all grounds to suppose that the group of saboteurs that invaded Artsakh’s Hadrut town and were later repelled was comprised of Turkish special forces.ARMENPRESS reports the reporter notes they were dressed in black and their goal was to raise Azerbaijani flag in the town to be able to confirm the political announcement of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev about capturing Hadrut. The video will not be posted due to non-normative lexicon.The Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani FMs announced about a humanitarian ceasefire starting from October 10, 12:00 aimed at the exchange of captives and bodies of victims under the mediation of the ICRC. However, Azerbaijani forces made a sabotage-reconnaissance infiltration attempt in the direction of Hadrut and the Defense Army of Artsakh continues its countermeasures to eliminate the raid.Later, President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan informed that the situation in the town is under full control of the Defense Army.On October 9, Aliyev had announced that the Azeri forces have captured Hadrut, a claim that was debunked by Artsakh as a “total lie.”Editing and Translating by Tigran Sirekanyan https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031166.html?fbclid=IwAR1LKeBBf_HIlZHFtLz3wgdf8O8rRHNLQC0ajrJa-2EMuuV8wZhjVoCdj98 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Israel wonders as to why, Armenians are having difficulty for having a close relationship with them! How can we, when their weapons are being used to kill us.Jerusalem postOct 11 2020 Armenian ethnic leader: Israel complicit in Azeri 'genocidal' war By JERUSALEM POST STAFF OCTOBER 11, 2020 18:07 The war between Azerbaijan and Armenia has entered its third week despite a Moscow-brokered ceasefire this weekend that failed. The president of the self-declared Artsakh Republic has accused Israel of being aware that Azerbaijan is using Israeli drones in a “genocidal” attack on Armenians in Nagorna-Karabakh. The war in the disputed territory between Azerbaijan and Armenia has entered its third week despite a Moscow-brokered ceasefire this weekend that failed. Azerbaijan has said that it has used Israeli-made drones and Armenians have expressed disappointment at Israeli drone sales to Baku, calling for them to stop and pulling Yerevan’s ambassador. In an article on Sunday at RAI the president of the unrecognized Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan accused Israel of complicity in Azerbaijan’s “genocide.” He said that Israel was aware its weapons were being used against civilians. At the recent press conference the Armenian leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed area that is viewed as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by Armenians, said that the Israeli drones had been used for attacks and not for defensive purposes. He said Israel has known this since the 2016 conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia when “UAVs were actually operated by Israeli specialists.” He said Israel was aware of the situation today and that they are “complicit in Azerbaijan’s genocidal policy, despite being a nation that survived genocide.” Armenians have called in the past for Israel to recognize the Armenian genocide and members of the Knesset have argued that Israel should do so. The Artsakh leader’s comments appeared in the context of this, arguing that since Jews suffered the Holocaust, Israel should be more sensitive about selling weapons and while Azerbaijan has often thanked Israel for decades of friendly relations, Armenia has voiced criticism for the arms sales. Harutyunyan was elected in May 2020 and has been a leader of Artsakh in other positions for many years; previously he was prime minister. Azerbaijan has demanded that Armenia withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh, which would essentially end the existence of the Artsakh Republic. Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of bombing a historic church and shelling civilian areas, while Azerbaijan said Armenia has launched rockets at many of its cities. Russia, France and Iran have called for a ceasefire and many countries have expressed concern about the continued fighting in which tens of thousands have reportedly been displaced. Armenia has also said that Turkey sent mercenaries from Syria to Azerbaijan to be used against it. https://m.jpost.com/middle-east/armenian-ethnic-leader-israel-complicit-in-azeri-genocidal-war-645316/amp?fbclid=IwAR0IusBM25XUlt8opWFqLH2hYNaH0CdEL4vKU08bcbZ6lvPS29nOQC82THc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Armenian Missionary Association of America donates 1 million USD to HAYASTAN All Armenian Fund SaveShare 21:31, 10 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) donated 1 million USD to HAYASTAN All Armenian Fund, ARMENPRESS was informed from AMAA.‘’Over the past week, the joint Azeri-Turkish assault on Artsakh and Armenia has fiercely escalated, with the shelling of towns, cities, infrastructure and churches all across the region. The death toll and destruction is mounting to unimagined levels unseen since Artsakh declared independence in a free and democratic vote of self- determination in 1991. The urgency of the situation is beyond comprehension leading to a severe humanitarian disaster on hand. Cognizant of the above and recognizing that Armenia and Artsakh are engaged in a battle of survival, The Armenian Missionary Association of America has appropriated a total of one million US Dollars (US $ 1,000,000) as humanitarian, relief and medical aid to the people of Artsakh and Armenia to be channeled through the HAYASTAN All Armenian Fund. AMAA will continue to raise funds to support its vast budgetary commitments funding its programs and services in Armenia and Artsakh initiated since the earthquake in 1988’’, reads the release. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031178.html?fbclid=IwAR07NXqrxzv3wb8zA9uMmeXhaXX46S-aQjGO_naG5iIcjVneg9LaxVGiUX4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Armenia submits new proofs of Turkey’s involvement in NK conflict to ECHR SaveShare 23:12, 10 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The Government of the Republic of Armenia continues to submit irrefutable facts about human rights violations by Azerbaijan to the ECHR.As ARMENPRESS was informed from the representation of Armenia in the ECHR, during the last days new proofs about Turkey’s participation in the military operations were presented to the ECHR. ‘’Based on those facts Azerbaijan will be held accountable for a number of violations of the European Convention on Human Rights’’, reads the press release. The ECHR also upheld the request of the Government of Armenia for an interim measures against Turkey.Editing and Translating by Tigran Sirekanyan https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031188.html?fbclid=IwAR2-ciPRKEKniE9d6UWte4_9huRaP7xmK2oNz0-YVLEpWemWeQsI0nyztTM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 IB Times Oct 11 2020 Armenians In Argentina Decry Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict By AFP News Hundreds of people from Argentina's Armenian community demonstrated Saturday in Buenos Aires, calling for an end to fighting in the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Buenos Aires protesters waved the red, blue and orange flags of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Photo: AFP / ALEJANDRO PAGNI The protesters, some wrapped in the red, blue and orange flags of Armenia and the contested enclave, marched from the Azerbaijan embassy to the Turkish embassy, chanting "No to terrorism" and "Peace in Armenia and Artsakh," using the Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh. The disputed territory is an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, home to about 150,000 people, which broke from Azerbaijan's control in a war in the 1990s that killed about 30,000 people. Hundreds joined the march to the embassies Photo: AFP / ALEJANDRO PAGNI Recent fighting, since September 27, has been the heaviest in two decades, with more than 450 people reported dead, thousands forced to flee their homes and fears of escalation into a devastating all-out conflict. "Artsakh... will always belong to the Armenians, we have lived in this region for more than 3,000 years," she said. The march attracted a mostly young crowd, with demonstrators playing traditional Armenian music and performing folk dances. They gathered in front of the embassy of Turkey, which has been accused of military support for Azerbaijan in the conflict. Ankara denies the charge. Argentina's Armenian community is estimated at 100,000 people, most of whom are third- or fourth-generation. https://www.ibtimes.com/armenians-argentina-decry-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-3060278?fbclid=IwAR0bwpEwXuVaYhnz_Wc-YodwYZxeODoHtDbHBL5jFBkwZniaRif1SOefQjA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Catholic News Agency Oct 11 2020 Christian aid groups call for response after Armenian Orthodox cathedral shelled CNA Staff, Oct 9, 2020 / 03:55 pm MT (CNA).- A historic cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Nagorno-Karabakh was attacked this week, and Armenia says Turkish-backed Azerbaijan carried out the attack. Turkey is supporting Azerbaijan in what humanitarian and Christian aid organizations say is a campaign of violence against Armenian Christians in the terrority. Holy Savior Cathedral in Shusha, Nagorno-Karabakh - a disputed territory - was shelled Oct. 8 amid increasing violence in the region. Artsrun Hovhannisyan, spokesman for Armenia's defense ministry, blamed “enemy Azerbaijan” for the attack, the BBC said. In Defense of Christians, which advocates for persecuted Christians around the world, affirmed on Friday its opposition to Turkish-backed aggression from Azerbaijan against Armenian Christians. “The world stood in shock and horror when observing what ISIS did to Christians and churches in Iraq and Syria. The Turkish-backed onslaught against this ancient Christian community is no different. Turkey must be heavily sanctioned for its continued persecution of Christians,” said IDC President Toufic Baaklini. According to reports, a section of the cathedral’s roof was destroyed in the attack, while limestone walls were damaged and pews knocked over. One local resident told AFP news agency that “it is a very important cathedral for Armenians.” He noted that the city of Shusha contains no military operations and questioned the reason for the attack. Nagorno-Karabakh is an area recognized in the United Nations as belonging to Azerbaijan, a predominately Muslim country, but administered by ethnic Armenians, who mostly belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of six Churches belonging to the Oriental Orthodox communion. The dispute over the territory has been ongoing since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with a war breaking out from 1988 to 1994. Violence has reignited in recent months, with Turkey supporting Azerbaijan's forces in a campaign against Armenians in the territory, and other states calling for a diplomatic resolution. The French government and other official and media sources have confirmed that Turkey is recruiting jihadist mercenaries to Azerbaijan, an IDC press release said Friday. “Turkey – one of the enablers of ISIS – is targeting the world’s first Christian nation in Armenia and trying to perpetrate another genocide. It is time for the world to finally hold Turkey accountable. Sanctions must be imposed on Ankara for its destabilizing behavior here and in multiple other regions. And military support to Turkey’s reprehensible wingmen in Azerbaijan must end as well. Today, we are all Armenian.” said Endy Zemenides, of the Hellenic American Leadership Council. Since the fighting picked up on Sept. 27, thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and more than 300 people have died, the BBC reported. Holy Savior Cathedral was consecrated in 1888 and later damaged in 1920 in the Shusa massacre of Armenians by Azerbaijanis. During the Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijan used the cathedral as a missile armory. The cathedral was restored after the war and reconsecrated in 1998. The building is 35 meters high, making it one of the largest Armenian churches in the world, and an important symbol for the Armenian people. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/amp/news/armenia-blames-azerbaijan-for-shelling-of-cathedral-95394?fbclid=IwAR0s3u2Rub5y5nkuNvdd7-P9ztcg8T33_7BN5FnXXtANU8if7thKWRDVYiE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Artsakh slams Israel for responsibility in Azeri genocidal attack SaveShare 10:51, 11 October, 2020STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan is certain that the Israeli government is well aware that the Israeli-made UAVs they sold to Azerbaijan are being used for attacks on the civilian population of Artsakh.“Back during the April war in 2016 not only was the Israeli government aware that they are using it not for defensive but for offensive goals, but specialists from Israel were the ones operating these drones. That’s why if the Israeli government was to say that they aren’t aware it would be yet another mockery against humanity. Of course they know and they continue supplying them, and the Israeli government, the government of a people who went through genocide themselves, is also responsible for this genocide,” he said. President Harutyunyan said money rules the world and that these actions of the Israeli government are yet another proof that not only are human values disregarded for money, but also values of God.Harutyunyan said the governments of all countries that sell weapons to Azerbaijan are aware that Azeris are using these weapons against civilians of Artsakh.Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031211.html?fbclid=IwAR23L4gJYne1LsHM0cRI7zzmkLcQROvwAYLsIdZkIjGBNbipDT-kiVhJvQU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Council of Churches in Netherlands condemns destruction of cultural and religious heritage SaveShare 15:17, 11 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The Council of Churches in the Netherlands condemns the destruction of cultural and religious heritage.The military operations in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact and the further developments remain under the spotlight of several structures and public circles of the Netherlands. The October 8 targeting and bombardment of the St. Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Artsakh by the Azerbaijani armed forces have greatly worried the Council of Churches in the Netherlands. In this context the Council made a statement, briefly presenting the history of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as the ongoing developments, condemned the attempts to destruct the cultural and religious heritage and expressed support to the calls of the United Nations and the World Council of Churches on ceasing the hostilities and returning to the peaceful negotiations.“War has flared up again around Nagorno Karabakh. The conflict around Nagorno Karabakh, where the majority of the population is Christian and of Armenian descent, and Azerbaijan, where the majority are Muslim, has been dragging on for decades. During the Soviet era, Nagorno Karabakh was assigned to Azerbaijan. After the fall of the Soviet Union, it declared itself independent. As a result, the conflict about this flared up in 1991. In addition, 30,000 people died and a million people were expelled.The most severe escalation since 2016 has been taking place since September, with many civilian casualties. Holy Savior Cathedral in the city of Shushi was also badly damaged in one of those bombings.It is worrying that Turkey is also getting involved in the fight. Turkey in particular supports Azerbaijan, reportedly also with troops and military equipment. Also worrying is that Azerbaijan has previously threatened to bomb a nuclear power plant in Armenia. This could cause a nuclear disaster with disastrous consequences in this region of the Caucasus.Both the United Nations and the European Union are urging both countries to cease armed struggle and open peace talks. Russia could play a mediating role here between Armenia and Azerbaijan / Turkey.The World Council of Churches also urges an end to hostilities and peace negotiations begin, if possible with the support of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE). As the Council of Churches, we support these international calls for a ceasefire and negotiations. We also condemn the destruction of cultural and religious heritage”, the statement says. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031243.html?fbclid=IwAR2Vo4XuFf7m-9lH62azVNpEIn0_EOFbJEhYW4UmrEb78kSfurhmSUZ-E6c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Armenpress.am Pope Francis condemns targeting of churches SaveShare 16:54, 11 October, 2020YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Pope Francis took a moment at the Angelus prayer on October 11 to recall the situation in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), condemning the targeting of churches, Vatican News reports.Pope Francis highly appreciated the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on cessation of hostilities for humanitarian purposes. “Even though the truce appears very fragile, I encourage its continuation and express my sympathy for the loss of lives, for the suffering, and for the destruction of homes and places of worship”, Pope Francis said.Pope Francis then invited everyone to pray for the victims and those whose lives are in danger.On October 8 Azerbaijan bombarded the St. Ghazanchetsots Church in Artsakh’s Shushi. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1031255.html?fbclid=IwAR34jijPkZJMdFqjMP4FhDjIjxgU-_KQYip3WAzfzePtoQO1XXUPTFD7_po Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 CIVILNET.AM 11 October, 2020 09:18 The following is a collective statement from a group of Israeli scholars working in the field of Caucasian Studies and associated fields. Institutional affiliations are for identification purposes only and do not reflect the opinion of the universities mentioned."We the undersigned write to express our deep concern with the fighting that has flared up in the region of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh). From a reading of independent accounts and analysis we have concluded that this outbreak of violence in the last few days is due solely to aggression of the Republic of Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey and backed up by fighters from elsewhere in the region. This belligerence has been directed towards military and civilian targets in the region of Artsakh and its mainly Armenian population, and deserves to be condemned in no uncertain terms. The response of the authorities of Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia is clearly one of defense of population, property and territory, and should enjoy the support of those who cherish the principle of self-determination of peoples.We call for an end to this aggression, and a cessation of the fighting. The long-term answer to tension in the region is on-going negotiations that will aim to resolve the claims of various ethnic groups, leading to a mutually agreed upon political arrangement. Clearly, violence of any type will not resolve ethnic and other tensions.It is with dismay that we address the matter of Israeli arms sales to Azerbaijan in recent years, this being one component in the massive armament process in that country. We call upon the Israeli government to cease immediately the sales of arms to Azerbaijan, pending a review of the issue by the government and Knesset. Matters of would-be Realpolitik, as reflected here in arm sales, are not the only basis for foreign policy. Certainly, one needs to question Israel’s role in an armament effort aimed mainly against a people that like the Jewish people suffered genocidal attacks in the twentieth century. We call upon other Israelis to raise their voice on this important issue."(in alphabetical order)Prof. Reuven Amitai (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Prof. Yair Auron (Open University of Israel)Prof. Israel Charny (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Ms. Moran Deitch (Bar Ilan University)Prof. Benjamin Z. Kedar (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Mr. Yoav Loeff (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Prof. Benny Morris (Ben Gurion University in the Negev)Dr. Yakir Paz (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Prof. Eli Richter (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Prof. Donna Shalev (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Mr. Marc Sherman (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Prof. Michael Stone (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)Dr. Yana Tchekhanovets (Ben Gurion University in the Negev)Prof. Dror Zeevi (Ben Gurion University in the Negev)For further information, contact: reuven.amitai@mail.huji.ac.il https://www.civilnet.am/news/2020/10/11/Israel-s-Scholars-Call-for-the-Cessation-of-Israeli-Arm-Sales-to-Azerbaijan/400736 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 CIVILNET.AM 12 October, 2020 13:16 Artsakh / Nagorno Karabakh has been at war again since September 27. Azerbaijan started to shell not only on the Line of Contact but also ordinary civilian towns and infrastructure. In general, 80–90% of the Artsakh Defense Army are men, which is why when we talk about the war, we mainly mention our hero boys. As soon as the Artsakh war starts, the girls are asked to leave the cities and villages, to go to a safer place, so that their husbands, brothers, and fathers feel safer, fight, win, after which they can return home. However, the women of Artsakh are quite stubborn; they also found work to do. Some of them risk their lives, stay in their homes, and try to contribute to the struggle.1. A NurseNarine Zakaryan has been in the hospital since the morning of September 27. The shelling started on the same day, at approximately 07:30am. It was Sunday — her day off. But who would have thought about that? She has been in the hospital since the first day, sleepless, hungry, restless ․․․ Her son is fighting at the frontline. During the surgeries, Narine manages to call family members, ask how her son is, if they have information, and then continues the work․․․ She has not returned home to this day. 2. A Bride The newlywed Elina got married only a week before the war. She stayed with her husband’s family in the basement, where she makes tea for the elderly women in the basement. Elina feels responsible to wait and take care of everyone; for the children, neighbors, even journalists, who visit them every day. 3․ Those who prayThis woman sits in a church from the morning till evening and prays. She does not eat, drink, she only prays. When I asked her why she did not leave for safety, she said that she believed that God would provide the peace, and the only place she feels is right to be, is the church. She became an integral part of that church.4. Bread bakers This is Tamar Sargsyan, a girl with the most patriotic heart I have ever seen. As soon as the war started, she joined a group of bakers, burning her face and hands day and night, and baking bread for the soldiers standing on the frontline. Her brother is at there. She says, “Every soldier is my brother, every bread will be eaten by one of my brothers”․․․ 5․ MothersI want to talk about the image of mothers in the form of this woman. Mothers play an inexplicable role during the war. Anush is from Karin Tak village, waiting for her husband, father, and brother. Her son, David, is 5 months old. The woman sent two children to Yerevan to be safer. She and the little one stayed. She is unable to breastfeed the baby because of anxiety, but she does not intend to leave.6. FeedersSince there were no open restaurants or cafes in the city since the first day of the war, these women volunteer at a fast-food restaurant. They prepare food, provide it free of charge to journalists, volunteers, servicemen, any person who needs it. From morning till night they work there, under the sound of explosions․ They left their children in the basements, but do their best to organize the humanitarian aid. 7. JournalistsSince the author has to post her picture in the article, I decided to post it this way. Journalists are waging another war these days, their weapon is the camera. For the sake of the word of justice, they risk their lives to present the situation correctly. Sometimes what they present, what they see, they give to the world, but then it is very difficult to live with those scenes and sounds in the ears ․․․Women have their functions during the war. Maybe they don’t go to the frontline (although, many also do that), but everyone does what they handle. And this is the rule of war; everyone has to take actions in whatever field they are best at. In this war, women are an integral part!Anzhelika Zakaryan, October 9, 2020 https://www.civilnet.am/news/2020/10/12/Women-of-the-Karabakh-during-the-War/400976 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 13, 2020 Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 Willful blindness for political reasons, in April 2016 Israel technicians operated drones that hit Armenia. It came to light when one of them objected to it. Now there are so many video proofs on the net showing drones made in Israel shot down in Armenia, but it's not proof enough for the courts. Even hypocrisy has it's limits. Jerusalem PostOct 12 2020 High Court rejects ban on arms sales to Azerbaijan as lacking evidence The background of Israeli arms sales to Azerbaijan relates to complex geopolitics relating to Iran – which it borders – and Israeli oil needs. By YONAH JEREMY BOB OCTOBER 12, 2020 20:11 The High Court of Justice on Monday rejected a petition to ban arms sales to Azerbaijan as lacking evidence to justify a hearing on whether they have been used for war crimes against Armenia.In the case of Malaysia, the High Court rejected a similar petition but held a spirited hearing. In this case, Justice Yosef Elron said the petition lacked basic evidence to even reach that point. The ruling does not preclude a later petition presenting more comprehensive evidence. At this stage, it was unclear that sufficient evidence could be assembled as in the Malaysia case, human-rights lawyer Itay Mack said. The High Court placed its Malaysia decision under gag order. It presumably recognized that Israel was selling or had sold arms to Malaysia that likely were being used for alleged war crimes. But it rejected the petition either because Israel wanted to cease selling arms quietly or because of classified alleged national security interests. Mack said he was calling on Israel to cease arms sales to Azerbaijan as a moral matter, but he lacked sufficient evidence to file a petition. It was filed by activist Elie Joseph, who has been on hunger strike over the issue. Joseph presented news reports that 60% of Azerbaijan arms come from Israel and evidence of a potential air lift of weapons to Azerbaijan days before its current conflict with Armenia erupted. He also presented news reports and a report by Amnesty International with evidence that Azerbaijan is using Israeli drones to kill Armenians. However, almost none of what Joseph presented proves that Israeli weapons have been used against Armenians for war crimes, Elron said. At most, it proves that Israeli weapons have been sold to Azerbaijan, which might mean being held in storage or in reserve for defensive purposes only, he said. Mack said even if he did not think there was enough evidence to go to the High Court, he appealed directly to the government to cease any sales to Azerbaijan based on more general evidence from Azerbaijani officials. Azerbaijan has published footage of Israeli models of unmanned aerial vehicles, including offensive and kamikaze UAVs, he said. In 2015, Azerbaijani soldiers marched in a parade carrying Israeli-made Tavor rifles, Mack said. In September 2016, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev visited a government-owned factory that produces Israeli models of kamikaze drones, he said. In a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Aliyev said Israel had agreed to sell Azerbaijan defense equipment worth nearly $5 billion, Mack said. In addition, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has released a video showing what could possibly be an Israeli UAV flying for a split second past a Turkish attack UAV, he said. Moreover, a statement by a political adviser to Aliyev and other videos of kamikaze UAVs might be evidence of use against Armenia, but it was difficult to prove whether the weapons used were Israeli, Mack said. The background of Israeli arms sales to Azerbaijan relates to complex geopolitics relating to Iran, which it borders, and Israeli oil needs. Elron ordered court costs of NIS 1,500 for filing the petition, indicating it was filed prematurely and without sufficient research. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/high-court-rejects-ban-on-arms-sales-to-azerbaijan-as-lacking-evidence-645470?fbclid=IwAR0XchoXZEDdj_9PT-lmNvoS9NEMSUMUf-gVja-QPbGFvqek8nYyXRsqBjQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 13, 2020 Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 The American ConcervativeOct 12 2020 How Azerbaijan Is Lobbying Washington To Sanitize Its WarDocuments reveal a flurry of activity to convince beltway elites that Armenia is the aggressor and the U.S. should favor Azerbaijan.OCTOBER 12, 2020|12:01 AMBARBARA BOLAND As conflict heats up over Nagorno-Karabakh, a tiny Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, a covert battle is taking place on Capitol Hill to win the hearts and minds of lawmakers in Washington.Since hostilities began on September 27, hundreds of lives have been lost as Azerbaijani drones have flown within 20 miles of Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, and an Armenian strike was carried out on a military base in Azerbaijan’s second city, Ganja. “The next targets could be oil and gas facilities in Azerbaijan, or Yerevan and Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku,” reports the New York Times, an escalation with the potential to draw in Turkey, Russia, and Iran on opposing sides.Well-armed and financed Azerbaijan is receiving assistance from Turkey, an American ally. Turkish drones and jets have been exacting civilian casualties on Armenians, and as TAC previously reported, Armenians are in danger of ethnic cleansing once again.“Civilians are bearing the brunt of surge in violence,” reported the International Committee of the Red Cross on October 2. They added, “Civilian deaths and injuries, including of children, have been reported on both sides of the line of contact, and in Armenia.”Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has ramped up its public relations campaign, employing not one but six of K Street’s heavy-hitting firms, including the Livingston Group, Stellar Jay Communications, BGR, the Podesta Group, and DLA Piper. Last year the country spent $1.3 million on lobbying.Armenia traditionally lobbies through American community groups, and has just one firm working for them, Alston and Bird. The contract was signed September 16, so it’s unclear how much money they will spend petitioning Washington this year, but documents reveal they haven’t spent any money lobbying since 2016.Azerbaijan, on the other hand, lobbies in much the same manner as a Gulf State—though with considerably less resources—and has a long history of extensive lobbying efforts. In an attempt “to whitewash its dictatorial image…the autocratic government of Ilham Aliyev has unleashed spin-doctors, duped reporters, and led one of the most brazen pushes to abuse American lobbying loopholes of any foreign government,” wrote Casey Michel in 2016.For years, lobbyists on the dime of Azerbaijan have met with universities, think tanks, and members of Congress. They’ve arranged the placement of favorable op-eds in outlets like The Hill, the Washington Times, the Daily Caller, National Review, the Washington Post, and the New York Times. These articles were initially published without disclosing the authors’ financial ties to Azerbaijan.While oil-rich Azerbaijan’s lobbying slowed after 2016 due to the collapse of its currency, Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) documents reveal a flurry of recent activity aimed at convincing Washington elites that Armenia is the aggressor and that the U.S. should favor Azerbaijan in the conflict.When American lobbying and public relations firms are hired by foreign countries, they are legally required to register their clients with the Justice Department under FARA. They are also required to provide a list of the activities they undertake on behalf of the foreign country.Azerbaijan’s hired K Street guns are distributing what are euphemistically referred to in FARA documents as “informational materials.” These materials could be more accurately described as propaganda. The documents distributed on Capitol Hill highlight Armenia’s “provocative actions,” its “illegal” role in the conflict, that Armenia allegedly “kills Azerbaijani civilians, including children,” and how “Armenia’s leaders have been actively undermining the ongoing peace process.”The documents lobbyists distribute on Capitol Hill make some incredulous claims: that “Armenia has long been involved with Middle Eastern terrorism,” that “Azerbaijan has been consistent in urging substantive and result-oriented negotiations in order to achieve a breakthrough in the conflict,” and that “Turkey is not directly involved and is not a party to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.”5430 Informational Materials 20200930 75 by Barbara Boland on Scribd See document athttps://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/as-war-rages-azerbaijan-pumps-money-and-propaganda-into-u-s-lobbying-machine/?fbclid=IwAR1PiNBoByAHpWrmdWV5hlpcmvlJKS2kIj2IDpG3e_86Qea5VPy9MJoaTnw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 13, 2020 Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 Public Radio of ArmeniaOct 12 2020 Belgian Armenian violinist plays Komitas at St. Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi (video) Belgian Armenian violinist Sevak Avanesyan has played “Krunk” by Komitas at Ghazanchetsots Church that was heavily damaged in Aerbaijani shelling.Բարբարոսներ շատ կգան ու կանցնեն անհետ,Արքայական խոսքը մեր կմնա հավետ: Ախպեր ջանGepostet von Tigran Avanesyan am Montag, 12. Oktober 2020https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/12/belgian-armenian-violinist-plays-komitas-at-st-ghazanchetsots-church-in-shushi-video/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 13, 2020 Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 Stop selling arms!!!!!!!! That will achieve peace! Jerusalem PostOct 12 2020 Israel welcomes ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan - Ushpiz Both sides accused one another of breaking the ceasefire almost immediately, and Azerbaijan gave the impression in public comments from top officials that it saw it as only a brief breathing space anyway.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF OCTOBER 12, 2020 08:32 \Alon Ushpiz, director-general for the Foreign Ministry, told Army Radio host Efi Triger Monday morning that Israel welcomes the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh and intends to pursue relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia in the following months. Triger also questioned Ushpiz as to whether Israel's arms sales to Azerbaijan should be under inquiry, given the country is a longtime customer of an assortment of Israeli defense companies, buying drones, missiles and other advanced weapon systems. Ushpiz gave no answer. The Russian-brokered ceasefire, clinched after marathon talks in Moscow, was meant to halt fighting to allow ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azeri forces to swap prisoners and war dead. The talks were the first diplomatic contact between the two since fighting over the mountainous enclave erupted on Sept. 27, killing hundreds of people. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but is populated and governed by ethnic Armenians. Both sides accused one another of breaking the ceasefire almost immediately, and Azerbaijan gave the impression in public comments from top officials that it saw it as only a brief breathing space anyway.Reuters contributed to this report. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israel-welcomes-ceasefire-between-armenians-azerbaijanis-ushpiz-645394 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 13, 2020 Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 The Times, UK Oct 11 2020 Murder that highlights Boris Johnson’s silence over Armenia crisis by Richard Spencer As Azerbaijan and Armenia have gone to war in recent days, one man with more of an interest in the conflict than most along with the power to grab worldwide attention has been silent: Boris Johnson. The prime minister has so far made no public comment on events in the contested enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, where fighting continued over the weekend despite a ceasefire. Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, issued a bland joint statement with his Canadian counterpart calling for an end to military action and a “comprehensive settlement” to the 30-year, on-off dispute. Mr Johnson has also discussed the issue with President Erdogan of Turkey, which is strongly backing its ally and fellow Turkic-speaking nation Azerbaijan. A Downing Street statement distanced Mr Johnson from anything like a personal opinion. “They talked about recent violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh,” it said. “The UK has called for urgent de-escalation in the region.” Yet Mr Johnson’s very identity as a British citizen is closely bound up not only with Turkey, where his great-grandfather was once the interior minister, but also with the fate of the Armenians. The death of his great-grandfather, murdered in 1922, was in part a result of Turkey’s genocide of Armenians during the First World War, which he had tried to bring to public notice despite anger from others in government. Britain nowadays has ambiguous relations with Turkey, a key Nato ally whose Islamist leader is nevertheless widely disliked by many on both left and right of British politics. Some may suspect that Mr Johnson’s reticence is due to Downing Street’s fear that his own history might be interpreted as influencing British foreign policy. Mr Erdogan was one of the first world leaders to congratulate him on becoming prime minister. The two last met at the Nato summit in London in December, but hold regular phone calls. Mr Johnson’s last visit to Turkey was as foreign secretary, months after he won a competition in The Spectator with a limerick about Mr Erdogan that called him “the wankerer from Ankara”. A man in Stepanakert hangs jeans on a washing line near the tail of a multiple 'Polonez' rocket AP The prime minister’s great-grandfather, Ali Kemal, was a journalist and later politician, known for his liberal and pro-British views. He married an English wife, Winifred Brun, with whom in 1909 he had a son, Osman Wilfred, while in exile in Bournemouth. After Winifred’s death following childbirth, he returned to Turkey, leaving Osman with Winifred’s family. They changed his name to Wilfred Johnson, his grandmother’s surname, to avoid anti-Turkish prejudice during the war. Wilfred, after whom the prime minister has named his own newborn son, was the father of Stanley Johnson, the prime minister’s father. Ali Kemal returned to Turkish politics, opposing the rise to power of Kemal *****, known as Ataturk, and his nationalist movement. He suggested the new Turkish state should become a British protectorate, and condemned the mass killings of Armenians that began in 1915. “Four or five years ago a historically singular crime has been perpetrated, a crime before which the world shudders,” he said, blaming the nationalists. In 1922 he was seized from his barber’s and lynched as a pro-British “traitor” by a nationalist mob. “Artin Kemal” was inscribed on his bare chest, “Artin” being a common Armenian name. Even now Turkey rejects the charge of genocide Its supply of Bayraktar drones has been key to Azerbaijan’s military strategy in the Nagorno-Karabakh fighting, and Turkish media have whipped up a frenzy of nationalist feeling over the crisis. The Armenian side is also fanatical, with talk of continued “genocide”. Britain’s refusal to become involved reflects European nervousness over its relationship with Turkey and Russia, generally seen as backing Armenia. Downing Street sources dismissed any suggestion that the prime minister’s family history had any bearing on government policy. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/history-calls-for-johnson-as-armenian-war-hots-up-p9g7wxmzt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted October 13, 2020 Report Share Posted October 13, 2020 New York PostOct 11 2020 Erdogan’s proxy war in Armenia ugly echo of Turkey’s genocidal campaign century agoBy Post Editorial Board Fostering a proxy war in in Armenia may serve Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s needs, but it’s an appalling echo of the genocide Turkey committed against Armenians a century ago.On Sept. 27, Azerbaijan resumed its conflict with Armenia, accusing it of unprovoked attacks. At issue is the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, a mountainous territory of 150,000 people (mostly ethnic Armenians) that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but claimed and governed by Armenia since an earlier war.The Azeris are plainly the aggressors: They not only outnumber the Armenians 3-to-1, they’ve been modernizing their military with a huge assist from the Turks.So Armenia’s destruction of a few of Azeri helicopters and tanks was likely the response to an incursion, as it claims.Erdogan’s backing of Azerbaijan is a useful distraction from his sagging domestic economy, but it turns a long-standing local conflict into a bigger geopolitical competition. Armenia can resist only with the backing of Russia, which has been fueling that side of the arms race — which means it’s just a step or two to direct conflict between Moscow and Ankara.“We are a step away from a large-scale war,” says Olesya Vartanyan of the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing deadly conflicts.While the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, NATO, Pope Francis and others have called for a ceasefire, Erdogan fans the growing fire, offering Azerbaijan unwavering support.But it’s the history that makes this beyond horrific: Ankara still refuses to acknowledge its genocide of nearly 1.5 million Armenians at the end of the First World War, and now it’s bent on slaughtering countless more. https://nypost.com/2020/10/11/erdogans-proxy-war-in-armenia-is-an-echo-of-turkeys-genocidal-campaign/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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