new promising era New Promising Era "President" & VP Nikol Pashinian

[MosJan]

thats a hard one

 

News.am, Armenia

April 28 2018

Nikol Pashinyan: There should be no monopolies in Armenia

19:33, 28.04.2018

YEREVAN. – There should be no monopolies in Armenia, the opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan told RBK.

His remark came in response to comment on economic initiatives that he will offer if he becomes Armenian PM before the early parliamentary elections.

According to him, 20 thousand food items are imported in Armenia by a very narrow circle of businessmen.

“Carrefour Group is one of the largest companies in sugar trade. But this company is forbidden to import sugar to Armenia. We need to allow them to do this as well as to allow other companies, and we will definitely do it. And we also intend to reform the trade system in order to destroy the shadow economy,” he said.

According to him, it is proposed to make a single bonus system in the Armenian payment system- in taxis, shops and services.

“Some percentage of annual purchases will be accumulated in your open bank account. The tax authorities will register these transactions and take a duty. We estimated that this would lead to almost a 30% increase in the budget in a year. This means raising wages, pensions, and so on,” he said.

Asked to comment on Armenian dependence on Russian business, particularly in gas, Pashinyan noted: “Russian gas is really quite cheap on the border. When it comes to people, the price grows twice. We will work to understand why this is happening, and I hope we will have some opportunities to reduce the price for the domestic market,” he concluded.

https://news.am/eng/news/448800.html

 

[Yervant1]

Did the Armenian People Win the Battle or the War?

Photo: The Guardian

On April 29, the people of Armenia won! The three parliamentary parties agreed to support the “people’s choice,” Nikol Pashinyan, for Prime Minister. The fourth, the ruling party, has promised not to object to it. “Nikol Pashinyan was right. I was mistaken,” Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan said after leaving his post on the fifth day of an unprecedented popular protest against his regime, lead by Nikol Pashinyan.

 

Sargsyan added, “The movement in the streets is against my tenure. I am fulfilling your demand. I wish our country peace, harmony and common sense.”

 

“We are in Euphoria. We took down a powerful man,” said one of the protestors. He then added, “We are back in charge of our self-rule and have regained our national pride and integrity.”

 

But this is bittersweet. What was won? A battle or the war?

According to popular belief, the current regime, led by monopolist oligarchs and privileged elite, will make it extremely difficult for Pashinyan to achieve the reforms he wishes. The people also believe that even if Pashinyan becomes Prime Minister, the ruling party, with an absolute majority, will set up constitutional traps and find ways to force his resignation. Triggering a vote of non-confidence would force the prime minister’s resignation and result in a new political crisis.

 

Unfortunately, according to constitutional experts, the new constitution has no means of solving the current political challenges and will fail in solving the constitutional chaos, resulting from the actions of the majority party.

 

To solve the crisis and move forward, the parties must keep in mind how the nation got here. What were the mistakes made? Who was responsible for it?

 

Serzh Sargsyan admitted that he was mistaken, but, as a responsible statesman, and caring for his country and the nation, he succumbed to the will of the people and resigned.

 

But the crisis was not only because of Sargsyan’s own mistakes. The privileged political and business oligarchs have as much responsibility and played an equal role in helping trigger this self-motivated, popular revolution against the regime.

 

The people instinctively know that once the movement is transferred to the parliament, the majority party will derail their revolution of love. March 1, 2008 is very fresh in the people’s minds. Pashinyan raised another example of discontent when he spoke about the price of 1000M3 of gas purchased from Russia at $155, reaching the people at $320-$330.

In short, this revolution was not against Serzh Sargsyan alone; it was against the regime represented by him. If the parliamentary elections are called right away, within the next 60 days, Armenia will have a chance of maintaining its credibility as a democratic independent nation, regaining its self-rule, national pride, and integrity.

 

“The ruling party must acknowledge the will of the people”, insists Pashinyan. As leaders of the country, the ruling coalition have the shared responsibility to help develop an equitable society and genuine democracy at home.

 

The entire nation worldwide is yearning for a homeland where the social contract between the ruler and the ruled operates by the rule of law. A proud and happy civil society can reverse the emigration process. People returning home will share the benefits of a true democratic country where people feel that they are equal in front of law and share opportunities equally.

The interest of the state and its people is best served under these circumstances, if the country holds a fair and just election, immediately.

 

 

[Yervant1]

Deutsche Welle, Germany

April 30 2018

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan formally nominated for premier by supporters

Two weeks of protests have been suspended as Nikol Pashinian holds talks with other political leaders ahead of a key vote in parliament. He only needs six more votes from other parties to become prime minister.

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian was formally nominated by his supporters for the vacant post of prime minister on Monday. He needs support from several more lawmakers to be assured of winning the vote on Tuesday in parliament.

The formal nomination is the latest step in Pashinian's progress from leader of the protests which forced unpopular Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan to resign to premier with a reform program for the former Soviet republic.

Pashinian held negotiations with all parties in parliament Monday, saying:

"We are facing the task of resolving the political crisis in the country,"

"Our goal is to draw a line under animosity and create an atmosphere of solidarity,"

"If a prime minister is not elected tomorrow, this crisis will not disappear,"

"I don't have to and will not coax them," he said of the ruling Republican Party which holds a majority of seats in the assembly.

Serzh Sargsyan, who ruled Armenia for 10 years, tendered his resignation after widespread public demonstrations against his attempts to hold onto power. The Armenian government named former Prime Minister Karen Karapetian, an ally of Sargsyan, as acting premier.

The protests were sparked by Sargsyan's move to extend his rule. The 63-year-old was president of Armenia from 2008 until a term limit forced him out in March. But the parliament, which is controlled by ruling Republican Party, installed him as prime minister in April and curbed the powers of the president.

The shift to a strengthened parliamentary triggered massive anti-government protests in the capital of Yerevan on April 13, with thousands of people participating in rolling demonstrations against Sargsyan. Hundreds of Armenian soldiers also joined the protests.

Clinging to power

The parliament's move to keep Sargsyan in power echoed a maneuver by Russian President Vladimir Putin a decade ago. Leaders in several former Soviet republics have used similar methods to remain in power.

Protesters in the capital Yerevan took to the streets to celebrate Sargsyan's resignation. A day after Sargsyan stepped down, the country's opposition called for a meeting with the caretaker prime minister to discuss a "peaceful transfer of power." In this photo, opposition leader Nikol Pashinian ® is seen in a meeting with Sargsyan on April 22, urging him to step down.

Russia, Armenia's closest ally, said on April 24 that it was not concerned about the political situation in Yerevan. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he did not regard Armenia's political tumult as a Ukraine-style revolt against pro-Russia politicians. However, according to analysts, Sargsyan's resignation has unsettled Russian interests in Armenia.

After talks with acting Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan were cancelled, Pashinian and his supporters took to the streets again on April 25 to demand parliament choose a "people's candidate" who di not come from the ruling Republican Party.

Armenia's parliament will vote for a new premier on May 1. Pashinian has said he is prepared to be a candidate, but it is unclear if he will get support. The ruling Republican Party holds a majority in parliament.

As Nikol Pashinian's supporters staged further protests on April 29, the ruling Republican Party which holds a majority in parliament said it would not put forward a candidate for prime minister to stand against Pashinian. The party would not "impede the election of the people's candidate" if all three opposition factions voted for him, leader Vahram Baghdasaryan said.

Short of six votes, Pashinian met with other political leaders in parliament on April 30. "We are facing the task of resolving the political crisis in the country," he said. "If a prime minister is not elected tomorrow, this crisis will not disappear." The vote in parliament for a new prime minister was scheduled for May 1.

The Republicans said on Sunday they would not block Pashinian's election if all opposition groups in parliament supported him. Republican leader Vahram Baghdasaryan said his party would not "impede the election of the people's candidate" if all three opposition factions supported him.

Political analysts think it is likely Pashinian will win Tuesday's vote: "I see practically no obstacles to Pashinian becoming a prime minister tomorrow," Hakob Badalyan told AFP.

Political scientist Ervand Bozoyan said people now see political change is possible: "Nikol has become a hero."

Jubilant scenes as Armenia’s president resigns

How did it come to this? Two weeks of protests brought the resignation of long-standing leader Serzh Sargsyan just days after parliament had approved his appointment as prime minister after spending a decade as president. The broadbased opposition supporting Pashinian holds Sargsyan responsible for the poor state of the economy in the landlocked country, and for widespread corruption.

How likely is Pashinian to win? The sole candidate, Pashinian has support from 47 opposition-party lawmakers but needs six more votes to be elected in the 105-seat legislature.

http://www.dw.com/en/armenian-opposition-leader-nikol-pashinyan-formally-nominated-for-premier-by-supporters/a-43596860

[Yervant1]

Yes Mr. President, prime minister should be elected in the parliament according to the constitution. Why don't you also say that the members of parliament should listen to their constituents, people that elected them.

TASS, Russia

April 30 2018

PM should be elected in parliament, not in streets — Armenia’s president

World

April 30, 0:03 UTC+3 MINSK
According to Sarkisyan, "any disagreements should be resolved in the building of the parliament"

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1 pages in this article

Armenian President Armen Sarkisyan© Artyom Geodakyan/TASS

MINSK, April 29. /TASS/. Armenia’s prime minister should be elected in strict compliance with the constitution when the citizens’ interests are observed, President Armen Sarkisyan told Belarussian reporters in an interview aired by the Belarussian ONT channel on Sunday.

"We all must have respect for the Constitution," he said. "The Constitution says clearly that there is one place, the parliament, where prime minister is to be elected, but neither in the streets, nor by any rally."

According to Sarkisyan, "any disagreements should be resolved in the building of the parliament."

"If a person is elected [prime minister] in line with the constitution, as the head of state, I will sign into law the decree appointing that person prime minister," he said. "In case, the constitution is not breached."

"Nobody cannot and must not open Pandora’s box, as then people will not respect the constitution," Sarkisyan stressed.

Since April 13, opposition’s widespread protests have gripped Armenia. On April 23, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan tendered his resigned in the wake of protests. On April 25 the ruling coalition broke up after the Dashnaktsutyun party had left it. The parliament is scheduled to elect prime minister on May 1. Three parliamentary factions - the Tsarukyan Alliance and Dashnaktsutyun and Yelk parties - vowed that they would vote in favor of Pashinyan. The ruling Republican Party of Armenia will not nominate its candidate.

Pashinyan (an MP of the Yelk faction) will become prime minister if 53 out of 105 (a simple majority) of MPs vote for him in the one-chamber parliament. The faction of the ruling Republic Party of Armenia has 58 seats in the parliament, while Yelk has nine, Dashnaktsutyun has seven, and the Tsarukyan bloc has 31 seats.

http://tass.com/world/1002511

 

[Yervant1]

News.am, Armenia

April 29 2018

Armenian intelligence reports about thwarting terrorist attack

20:24, 29.04.2018

YEREVAN. – The National Security Service of Armenia has prevented a terrorist from entering the country, the national security service reported.

The terrorist is identified as a Russian citizen and resident of Makhachkala Suleymangaji Bagandgajiyev.

The National Security Service said it continues being on high alert and focusing on foreign threats or terrorist organizations, taking into account the difficult tactical situation in the country. The national security service has heightened border control simultaneously with its other function in order to prevent the continuous attempts of terror suspects from taking advantage from the current domestic tension in Armenia and to target the country. The NSS said it had intelligence reports suggesting that terrorist organization-affiliated suspects would attempt to cross the border into Armenia.

The prevention of entry of Suleymangaji Bagandgajiyev back on 13th of February of 2018 has proven the possible threats to national security relating to international terrorist organizations.

The Russian citizen had arrived in Armenia on a transit flight from Kenya and attempted to use a fake passport of a Ukrainian citizen to illegally cross into Armenian territory.

Suleymangaji Bagandgajiyev was charged under Article 325 and 329 of the Criminal Code as part of the criminal case on using forged documents and illegal border crossing. The Russian citizen was arrested.

https://news.am/eng/news/448910.html

[Yervant1]

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
April 29, 2018 Sunday


Oppositionists call Armenian citizens to boycott "Yerevan City" and
"Sas" supermarkets chains

Yerevan April 29

Ani Mshetsyan. Members of the opposition movement surrounded the
supermarket "Yerevan City", (the supermarkets network belongs to the
RPA deputy, oligarch Samvel Aleksanyan), calling for boycotting his
supermarkets.

The protesters also call for boycotting the supermarket chain of Sas
belonging to another oligarch, RPA deputy Artak Sargsyan.
Oppositionists urged supermarket workers to come out and join their
initiative.

"Boycott the oligarchs, protect your rights. Let not only big, but
also small business be flourish in our country. Say no to the slave
work. The power of the oligarchs in Armenia has come to an end. You
are exploited, paid a little, but they force you to work very much, go
to our meeting, this is your right," the protesters called.

Protesters also noted that their protest is exclusively peaceful, and
they are not going to organize clashes with police officers. Then the
protesters tore up the memory card of the supermarket "Yerevan City".

Police officers tried to find a leader and talk with him, however, the
protesters said that the protest action does not have a leader and if
the police officer wants to talk to someone, then let him talk to
everyone at once. Participants in the protest action called on the
police to investigate criminal cases and not to interfere with
peaceful protests.

"The power of the RPA has ended, the power of the robbers has ended,
the power belongs to the people. There is no exploitation, there is no
poverty, no monopoly, join the strike, "the oppositionists called.

[Yervant1]

Idaho Press-Tribune

May 1 2018

Armenia protest leader warns of 'tsunami' if he isn't PM

By YURAS KARMANAU Associated Press

Supporters of the opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian gather for a rally at the Republic square in Yerevan on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Pashinian, who sparked two weeks of protests that threw Armenia into a political crisis, so far is the only candidate formally nominated for the prime minister's post. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — The Armenian parliament spent Tuesday debating if an opposition lawmaker who led weeks of anti-government rallies should be named to replace the prime minister who resigned due to the protests.

Nikol Pashinian, who was the only candidate nominated for premier before a scheduled vote, told colleagues in parliament that Armenia would be roiled by a "political tsunami" if the majority party did not support him.

"I would like to warn you that your attempts to interpret the tolerance of the popular movement as weakness could cause unexpected and undesirable consequences," Pashinian said, addressing members of the ruling Republican Party from the rostrum. "Get sober until it's too late, because your behavior could cause a political tsunami."

The National Assembly was in session for more than eight hours with no sign of when a vote would happen.

First, the lawmakers grilled Pashinian during a question-and-answer session. Later, dozens of them took the floor to speak about Pashinian's candidacy.

Republican deputies accused Pashinian of exploiting the young people who have been his core supporters. Some said Pashinian does not have a program to offer the country.

Opposition members of parliament joined Pashinian in warning that a vote against him would be a vote against the tens of thousands of people who joined the anti-government rallies in recent weeks.

Pashinian led the protests that forced Serzh Sargsyan, who led Armenia as president for 10 years and was made prime minister in mid-April, to resign. The opposition in this Caucasus Mountains country saw Sargsyan's move into the prime minister's chair as an attempt by him to stay in power indefinitely.

While Pashinian is the only candidate for prime minister, the chamber is controlled by Sargsyan's Republicans, and Pashinian needs their votes to win.

The Elk or "Exit" opposition alliance formally announced Pashinian's nomination at the start of Tuesday's parliament session. Between 30,000 and 40,000 people packed the square outside to show their support for Pashinian.

Protesters played folk music and waved the Armenian tricolor as the lawmakers' meeting was televised on a giant screen.

"The only thing that people on this square will accept is Pashinian's win, changes in the country and the ouster of the old clan," said engineer David Babayan, 47, who came to the Republic Square with his wife and 10-year-old son.

——

Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow contributed to this report.

https://www.idahopress.com/news/strange/armenia-protest-leader-warns-of-tsunami-if-he-isn-t/article_4ae54c15-7c7b-5651-b711-16301a9ef1e6.html

[Yervant1]

Reuters

May 1 2018

Armenia ruling party says won't vote for protest leader as PM

Hasmik Mkrtchyan

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Armenia’s ruling Republican Party said on Tuesday that its lawmakers would not vote to install protest leader Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister even though he was the only candidate for the post.

Pashinyan, who led weeks of protests that forced Prime Minister Serzh Sarskyan to resign last week, said the party’s decision not to back his candidacy was an “insult to the people.”

Reporting by Hasmik Mkrtchyan; Writing by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; Editing by Christian Lowe

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-politics-party/armenia-ruling-party-says-wont-vote-for-protest-leader-as-pm-idUSKBN1I240S

[Yervant1]

News.am, Armenia

May 1 2018

Sharmazanov: We do not elect good speechmaker, but head of Armenia's executive body

18:21, 01.05.2018

YEREVAN.- Today is a very important day in the life of Armenia, Karabakh and all Armenians: the parliament must elect a prime minister who is de facto the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the main negotiator on the Karabakh issue, the spokesman of the ruling Republican Party, Vice Speaker of Parliament, Eduard Sharmazanov said at the special session of the Armenian parliament on Tuesday.

“Like yesterday, today as well, you, Mr. Pashinyan, didn’t convince me, I don’t see you in the role of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief”, Sharmazanov said during the debate of the election of the PM in the Parliament on May 1.

Sharmazanov said today they are not electing a good speachmaker but a leader of the executive body who first of all should be distinguished by predictability of political steps and clear political ideology.

https://news.am/eng/news/449156.html

[Yervant1]

Al-Jazeera, Qatar

May 1 2018

Armenian parliament fails to elect new PM

Ruling Republican Party of Armenia made a unified decision to vote against opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan.

Armenia's parliament failed to elect a new prime minister after a special session, held following nearly two weeks of protests against the government.

The only candidate for the post of interim prime minister was Nikol Pashinyan, 42, the opposition leader who called for the mass demonstrations.

Pashinyan, who led the protests that forced Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan to resign last week, said the Republican Party's decision on Tuesday not to back his candidacy was an "insult to the people".

Syuzanna Petrosyan, from the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, told Al Jazeera that the constitution provides a seven-day period to vote again on a new leader; otherwise, parliament would be dissolved, and new elections must be held.

Political 'tsunami'

Pashinyan had secured the support of all opposition factions in the parliament but needed votes from members of the ruling coalition to obtain a majority vote.

"Mr Pashinyan, you're a good parliament member, but not qualified for prime minister," Arman Saghatelyan, a member of the Republican Party of Armenia, said in his speech to the parliament.

Ahead of the session, Pashinyan urged supporters to take to the streets on Tuesday to pressure parliament to choose him as prime minister and warned of a political "tsunami" if the ruling elite clung to power.

About 20,000 people gathered at the square in the capital, Yerevan, to follow the parliamentary session.

Sargsyan became prime minister on April 17 after a decade as president, in what was seen by opponents as a power grab.

To avoid stoking more tensions, the Republican Party announced earlier this week that it would not nominate a candidate for prime minister.

After his speech in the parliament, Pashinyan fielded questions by MPs for more than three hours about his positions on healthcare, foreign policy, migration, and the economy.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/armenian-parliament-fails-elect-pm-180501130650790.html

[Yervant1]

Banks.am, Armenia

May 1 2018

Nikol Pashinyan isn’t elected PM

At the special session of the Armenian National Assembly today 45 MPs voted for Elq faction’s candidate Nikol Pashinyan as Armenia’s next Prime Minister.

56 MPs voted against him.

ARF, Elq and Tsarukyan bloc factions previously stated that they would vote for Nikol Pashinyan.

RPA faction announced earlier that the members would vote against Nikol Pashinyan.

http://www.banks.am/en/news/newsfeed/15403

[Yervant1]

MediaMax, Armenia

April 25 2018

Ruben Vardanyan: Armenia’s youth wants no more oligarchs

Aurora Humanitarian Initiative co-founders Ruben Vardanyan and Noubar Afeyan gave an interview to Azatutyun Radio on April 24.

 

We have selected several comments from Ruben Vardanyan’s speech.

 

Not “black and white”

 

Noubar and I have been in Armenia for four days now and we have tried to facilitate balanced decisions so that current events are not perceived in black and white. This crisis concerns not only the Republic of Armenia, but Armenians worldwide.

 

This is not a Nikol Pashinyan-Serzh Sargsyan confrontation. I hope not only some individuals, but the elite classes in Armenia and Diaspora will understand that as well. By the “elite” I mean all those who feel responsible for Armenia’s future.

 

The people have taken to the streets not because they were promoting someone, but because they were speaking out against injustice. What people complain about actually began during Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s reign, continued into Robert Kocharyan’s era and stayed through Serzh Sargsyan’s terms. We need to state that clearly.

 

On Serzh Sargsyan

 

I would like to thank Serzh Sargsyan that he found the strength to resign without bloodshed. He has made a very difficult and very important step.

 

Euphoria shouldn’t turn to disappointment this time

 

If euphoria turns to disappointment again, this time the whole youth will emigrate. That will be the end of Armenia.

 

If the “usual” model of changes repeats itself and this nicknamed one is replaced by another, this oligarch by another, it will mean the end. The young people who have taken to the streets want to see no more oligarchs and people with monikers.

In 1988, when I was very young, I took part in the protests with great enthusiasm and I remember people taking to the streets by hundreds of thousands, while the Supreme Council could not understand their demands or change its stance. But what happened afterwards? The children’s author became the biggest oligarch.

 

 

People aspiring to form a new government need to understand that it should be qualitatively different from the previous ones, i.e. it must be very open and simple and unite all intellectual resources.

 

“Soft power”

 

I am happy to see that the “soft power” of the people has turned out to be stronger than the rough power of the authorities.

 

What happened in Armenia on April 23 is evidence for the world that Armenia can find solutions to difficult issues.

 

However, I have concerns as well because April 23 is not the end. It is the first and most important step. Fortunately, our nation has displayed a reasonable approach and kept the apolitical nature of April 24, the day we commemorate the victims of the Armenian genocide. The 1.5 million martyrs of our people
helped us take a break for a day.

 

On their plans

 

For the past 20 years, Noubar and I together with our families do everything we can to help Armenia develop and become an exemplary country for others.

In 2002-2003, we started the Armenia 2020 program that had a strong research element along with four scenarios for Armenia’s development. It showed very clearly the issues related to corruption, education, and many other phenomena.

 

 

We submitted those studies not only to President Robert Kocharyan and Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan, but the political parties as well. No discussion followed and we decided to try to build the future we wanted to see without getting into politics.

 

We have invested over USD 500 million into Armenia in the last 20 years, and not in commercial projects. My wife isn’t Armenian, but she was christened in an Armenian church. My son doesn’t have Armenian citizenship, but he served in the army in Artsakh. We believe in our nation and its abilities.

 

On criticism of the government

 

After the April war of 2016, when my son was serving in Artsakh, I spoke very openly about many things, reserving the moral right to do so. But we always choose to not simply criticize, but to work and move forward.

 

In 2008, at the first meeting with President-elect Serzh Sargsyan, we said we would realize our programs and added, “We will be grateful if you help us and we won’t be offended if you don’t; it is you decision”. I also told Sargsyan that our actions were for the people and not the government, and for that reason we did not expect gratitude.

When asked why I don’t speak publicly about this or that issue, I reply that I am not a politician. I undertake systemic changes for the new generation. And we can see that generation. I am happy we have people with independent opinions today.

 

 

On “heaven”

 

Don’t expect anyone to come and make Armenia a heaven. It will not happen. All problems cannot be solved in one day and people won’t become richer in one day. Don’t believe those who promise to attract USD 15 billion of investment. People who talk like that have no idea about these sums of money.

 

On the people

 

The people are wiser than we think. The elite are living in an illusion, but the people know everything.

 

There shouldn't be a new "dragon"

 

Everything must be done to avoid the repetition of “Kill the Dragon” drama. There shouldn't be a new "dragon".

 

I respect what Nikol Pashinyan has done, but this isn’t his personal victory. This is the victory of the people and we need to be able to use that strength for good things.

http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/politics/28144/

[Yervant1]

ARKA, Armenia

May 1 2018

Some 99% of Armenians are dissatisfied with authorities

http://arka.am/upload/resize_cache/iblock/16e/344_258_2/16e177eb1cabc4ae330174f05cc598c7.jpg

YEREVAN, May 1. /ARKA/. Around 99.9% of the population of Armenia were dissatisfied with the authorities, the head of the Prosperous Armenia party and the Tsarukyan parliamentary bloc Gagik Tsarukyan told reporters on Tuesday.

He said opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan’s steps were very competent and correct. ”No one believed that he could achieve such a victory," said Tsarukyan.

On the possible steps of the party in case Nikol Pashinyan is not elected prime minister by the parliament and the parliament is dissolved, Tsarukyan stated that the Prosperous Armenia party is ready for snap parliamentary elections.

"We are always ready for an early parliamentary election," Tsarukyan said.

The Prosperous Armenia party, headed by the wealthy businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, was part of the ruling coalition from 2007 to 2012. In the current parliament it has the second largest faction controlling 31 seats.

Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan is the only candidate. He has spearheaded anti-government protests since April 13, forcing former prime minister and two-time president Serzh Sargsyan to resign.

To be elected as prime minister Pashinyan needs to win 53 votes in the 105-member National Assembly. The Republican Party has 58 seats in the National Assembly, the Tsarukyan faction controls 31 seats, the Yelk bloc of Pashinyan has 9 seats and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has 7 seats.

The Tasrukyan bloc and the ARF said they would vote for Pashinyan. The Republican Party is expected to unveil its position today, though a senior lawmaker, Vahram Baghdasaryan, has said it would not stand in the way of Pashinyan's candidacy. -0-

http://arka.am/en/news/politics/some_99_of_armenians_are_dissatisfied_with_authorities/

[Yervant1]

ARKA, Armenia

May 1 2018

Nikol Pashinyan explains how he will struggle against corruption

http://arka.am/upload/resize_cache/iblock/2ff/344_258_2/2ffa850ff755a0db54607818a7758373.jpg

YEREVAN, May 1. /ARKA/. Nikol Pashinyan, candidate for prime minister, explained to the Armenian lawmakers how he will struggle against corruption in the country.

On May 1, the National Assembly of Armenia is electing the prime minister.

“It is very important to enhance the effectiveness of the mechanism of property declaration by officials, since now this mechanism gives them room for hiding information about property,” Pashinyan said.

Noting that many corruption scandals in the world are offshore deals and money abroad, he proposed to establish a special state agency, for example, the ethics committee, for controlling accounts of Armenian officials at any spot all over the world.

Only those complying with this requirement will be eligible to seek any public office.

Nikol Pashinyan, was nominated yesterday by YELQ faction as prime-ministerial candidate. He is the only candidate for this position.

Earlier, the factions of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation/Dashnaktsutiun and Tsarukyan bloc issued statements pledging their support to Nikol Pashinyan.

Eduard Sharmazanov, a member of the board of the Republican Party of Armenia and the vice speaker of the parliament, that the party’s faction will make its decision only after it hear Pashinyan’s program.

On April 23, Serzh Sargsyan, who was appointed by the Armenian parliament as prime minister amid widespread disaffection for him, resigned under the pressure of mass protests against his premiership.

On the same day, Armen Sarkissian, Armenian president accepted the government’s resignation. -0----

http://arka.am/en/news/politics/nikol_pashinyan_explains_how_he_will_struggle_against_corruption_/

[MosJan]

https://www.facebook.com/azatutyun/videos/1924687987576569/

[MosJan]

Nikol Will Be !!!

[MosJan]

https://www.facebook.com/Mediamax.am/videos/1704390579641833/

 

only in Armenia

[Yervant1]

My only wish is that Mr. Pashinyan once becomes prime minister he keeps his promises and fulfills what he said to the people. Having said that I hope the current government members of parliament do not put obstacles in front of him but work with him for the betterment of the country. They better behave because the people has awaken and they reclaimed their rightful power, they will be watching them and the history will not be kind to them if they do not put Armenia first above all other. Long live free and democratic Armenia.

 

BBC News, UK

May 2 2018

Armenia crisis: Opposition leader suspends nationwide protests

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan has suspended nationwide protests after the governing Republican Party indicated it would support his bid to be interim prime minister.

The demonstrations brought much of Armenia to a standstill on Wednesday.

Mr Pashinyan told supporters that the party's position needed clarifying but protests would be suspended for a day.

Republicans blocked Mr Pashinyan's bid to become prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, the party did not mention Mr Pashinyan by name but said they would back a candidate nominated by a third of MPs at next week's vote in parliament. It said it would not put forward its own candidate, leaving Mr Pashinyan as the only nominee.

"The issue has practically been solved," Mr Pashinyan told tens of thousands of supporters gathered in the capital, Yerevan.

"All factions said they would support my candidacy... We are suspending protests and going to have a rest."

Mr Pashinyan has led weeks of anti-government protests that forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign after 10 years in power.

On Tuesday, he called for a general strike after Republican Party MPs refused to back him in the vote for interim prime minister.

What happens now?

Parliament is due to hold another extraordinary session on 8 May to try to elect an interim prime minister.

Mr Pashinyan said he would formally submit his candidacy on Thursday and called on supporters to hold a huge rally on Tuesday to "seal our victory".

Earlier, he told the BBC that protesters were fighting for their rights and dignity.

"I want to be clear, it isn't a fight for Nikol Pashinyan becoming prime minister, it's a fight for human rights, for democracy, for rule of law and that is why our people aren't tired and won't be tired," he said.

How bad was the disruption?

Protests broke out across Yerevan and other main cities on Wednesday with cars and lorries blocking roads, while demonstrators stopped traffic on the route to the main airport.

Tourists had to abandon vehicles and carry their luggage. Metro stations in Yerevan were closed as part of the campaign of disobedience.

Entrances to several ministry buildings in Yerevan were blockaded and rail services were disrupted. Trains were not running between Yerevan and the second city, Gyumri, and checkpoints near the Georgian border were affected.

There was further disruption in Gyumri itself and in the third city Vanadzor, where a large crowd of protesters blockaded the mayor's office and other civic buildings. Three thousand workers from a local sewing factory walked out and cut off some of Vanadzor's biggest roads, reports said.

During the day Mr Pashinyan posted a message on social media, urging protesters to halt disruption at the airport, while other opposition politicians appealed to people not to impede emergency services. Police tried to move protesters off the roads but there was no sign of violence.

What led up to the crisis?

Mr Sargsyan left the presidency last month after 10 years in power and was then elected prime minister by a parliament controlled by his Republican party. Under a 2015 referendum marred by irregularities, Armenia shifted powers from the president to parliament.

Mr Sargsyan's move was seen by critics as a way of clinging to office.

Who is Nikol Pashinyan?

The son of a sports teacher, Mr Pashinyan came to prominence in 1995 when he began writing about government corruption. He founded a newspaper three years later and went on to take the role of editor at a best-selling daily, which criticised the government of President Robert Kocharyan and then of President Sargsyan.

When Mr Sargsyan was elected president in 2008, Mr Pashinyan was among the leaders of protests that turned violent and left 10 people dead. At that point he went into hiding, surrendering to authorities the following year.

• Armenia: History and politics

Jailed the following year on charges of murder and organising mass unrest, he was eventually released under an amnesty in 2011.

In 2012, he was first elected to Armenia's parliament. He argues that only he can steer Armenia to free and fair elections.

His critics accuse him of bringing chaos to the streets and question his ability to lead as prime minister.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43983146

 

[Yervant1]

The Washington Post

May 2 2018

Armenia’s pro-democracy leader tells his jubilant followers they can ease up

Supporters of opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinyan dance in Republic Square in Yerevan on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. (Sergei Grits/AP)

by Amie Ferris-Rotman

May 2 at 2:35 PM Email the author

MOSCOW — After weeks of nationwide protests, street parties and jubilant mayhem, on Wednesday the leader of Armenia’s pro-democracy movement urged his flock to rest, confident that victory is finally within sight.

It followed a turbulent 24 hours: After the Armenian parliament voted against making Nikol Pashinyan prime minister on Tuesday evening, he ratcheted up the pressure by organizing his largest-ever strikes and blockades of major roads including, briefly, the access highway to the country’s sole international airport.

To an estimated crowd of 150,000 people in the center of the capital, Yerevan, the charismatic 42-year-old said Wednesday evening that he has since persuaded lawmakers to cross party lines and vote for the “people’s candidate” —himself —in the new vote on May 8.

“Now, we will stop our actions for a while and rest,” Pashinyan told his mostly young followers to enthusiastic whistling. “Though we’re not tired, we have to save our strength and be really ready to pursue certain goals. Continue your studies and go read your books!”

Armenia’s parliament voted 55 to 45 on Tuesday against making Pashinyan, who was also the sole candidate, prime minister, two weeks after Serzh Sargsyan was ousted from the post. If the vote next week also fails, parliament will be dissolved and new elections would need to take place at least a month later. Acting prime minister Karen Karapetyan, an ally of Sargsyan’s and a former executive at the Russian gas giant Gazprom, will stay in place.

Impoverished, landlocked, and with close ties to Moscow, Armenia has been under the careful watch of both Russia and the West as recent events unfolded.

[Armenia’s revolution enters new stage as Russia begins to take notice]

The country of 3 million has long relied on Russia, which operates two military bases there, for energy needs and economic backing. Armenia also counts on Russia for keeping its simmering conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan at bay, although Moscow sells arms to both countries.

Pashinyan has repeatedly insisted his movement is unmotivated by geopolitics, and instead by the need to dismantle the ruling elite’s authoritarian grip on power. But Russia has been steadily emerging as a player in Armenia’s political turmoil.

In an open letter to Russian President Vladi­mir Putin on Wednesday, the director of a reputable Armenian news site urged the leader to stay out of Armenian politics.

“Trust me, the May 1 debates in Armenian parliament have reduced, not increased the number of people sincerely supporting stronger ties with Russia,” Ara Tadevosyan wrote in MediaMax. “You have so many concerns in Russia and globally, (the ruling Republican Party) isn’t worth your time.”

“Even you,” Tadevosyan wrote to Putin, “cannot breathe a new life into it.”

Ahead of the vote on Tuesday, lawmakers from the Republican Party grilled Pashinyan on a range of topics, questioning among other things his lack of allegiance to Russia, which he disputed as “nonsense.”

Some argue that showing loyalty towards Armenia’s former imperial master is key to ensuring stability.

“No matter how disingenuous this may be, the perception of Armenia as a consistent loyal ally of Russia is more important than the reality,” said Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center in Yerevan, an independent think tank. This, he said, will “avoid prompting any Russian interference or provoking any Russian move to undermine a new government.”

 

Armenia’s bloodless revolution has so far avoided the aggressive response from Moscow that met the overthrow of authority in other formerly Soviet republics, notably Ukraine and Georgia.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/armenias-pro-democracy-movement-defiant-in-face-of-parliament-rejection/2018/05/02/dbb57c0a-4de7-11e8-84a0-458a1aa9ac0a_story.html?utm_term=.4b9c73e762b5

[Yervant1]

This is how it's done, just ask the little one!

CNN News

May 2 2018

Protesters blocked roads in Armenia's capital. This little boy used his toy cars

Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN

Updated 1605 GMT (0005 HKT) May 2, 2018

 

(CNN)The little boy holds open his arms as he stands, satisfied, in front of a rainbow-colored line of toy cars he's placed in the middle of a street.

The photo, shot in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, captures the overwhelmingly peaceful protests taking place in the former Soviet republic after parliament refused to elect opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as the new prime minister.

Thousands of demonstrators blocked roads and danced in the streets of Yerevan on Wednesday heeding their protest leader's call for a nationwide day of action.

The boy, whose identity is unknown, wanted to emulate his parents who, like many others, had taken part to the street blockade, said the photographer Milena Pogosova.

"He was very kind and told me that he put the small cars on the street by himself because the adults around him were doing the same," Pogosova told CNN.

Around 30 people and five cars were blocking access to Victory Bridge, where the photo was shot. The brdge is close to the main protest site, Pogosova said.

Protesters also blocked roads to government buildings, including the Ministry of Defense, demonstrator Marina Gasparyan told CNN.

"I'd say 96% of Yerevan streets are blocked by protesters. Streets are closed mainly by cars," Gasparyan said, adding that many protesters were communicating using the messaging app Telegram.

The protests appeared to be largely peaceful, with local residents giving out strawberries and water to demonstrators, Gasparyan said.

Pashinyan, a former journalist and leader of the opposition Civil Contract party, will face a second round of parliamentary votes next week.

CNN's Laura Smith-Spark and Sheena McKenzie contributed to this report

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/02/europe/kid-blocking-street-toy-cars-yerevan-armenia/index.html

 

[Yervant1]

National Post, Canada

May 2 2018

The Latest: Armenia protest leader calls for end to protests

Opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian holds a megaphone during an interview with the Associated Press in Yerevan on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. Opposition protesters on Wednesday blocked the road leading from Armenia's capital, Yerevan, to its airport, as well as several subway stations and government ministries after Pashinian their leader called for a national strike.Mstyslav Chernov / AP

YEREVAN, Armenia — The Latest on Armenia’s political crisis (all times local):

9:50 p.m.

Armenia’s protest leader has called on his supporters to suspend their anti-government protests Thursday, saying he has enough support to become prime minister and end the country’s political crisis.

Nikol Pashinian told a Wednesday evening rally that “tomorrow, we will work in parliament.” In a surprise move, the ruling party, which had a day earlier rejected Pashinian’s bid to become premier in a parliamentary vote, said that it would back any candidate for prime minister that was nominated by a third of the body’s 105 members.

Pashinian says all three opposition parties will nominate him to become prime minister, effectively meaning the job would be his if the ruling party honours its pledge.

Mass demonstrations forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign last week as prime minister just days after he was named to the post. Sargsyan was Armenia’s president for 10 years before stepping down because of term limits.

8:30 p.m.

The opposition lawmaker who has spearheaded mass protests in Armenia says all three opposition parties in parliament will nominate him for prime minister, which would oblige the ruling party lawmakers to support him.

The head of the Republican Party’s faction in parliament said earlier Wednesday that the party didn’t plan to put forward its own candidate for the premiership and would support whichever candidate was nominated by one-third of the chamber’s deputies.

Protest leader Nikol Pashinian told an evening rally in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, that three opposition parties — holding 47 of the parliament’s 105 seats — would nominate him for prime minister Thursday

Republican Party has a majority in parliament. Lawmakers voted 55-45 against putting Pashinian in office on Tuesday.

Another vote is scheduled for May 8.

——

7:45 p.m.

A top official in Armenia’s ruling party says its members in parliament will vote for whichever candidate for prime minister gets nominated by one-third of lawmakers.

Vagram Bagdasarian, head of the Republican Party faction in the National Assembly of Armenia, also said Wednesday that the party would not put forward its own candidate.

The nomination threshold is a potentially significant concession to the opposition candidate who has spearheaded weeks of mass protests.

The Republicans hold a majority in parliament, so whomever it supports in the vote next Tuesday would win the premiership.

On Tuesday, the chamber rejected opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinian’s candidacy on a 55-45 vote.

6 p.m.

Anti-government protesters in Armenia have carried a mock coffin and funeral flowers to symbolize what the opposition says is the death of the country’s ruling party.

Scores of people carried the coffin through Republic Square before smashing it to the ground and stomping on a white wraith of flowers.

The protest follows the parliament’s rejection of a bid by opposition leader Nikol Pashinian to become prime minister that has intensified the political turmoil that has gripped the country since mid-April.

Mass demonstrations forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign last week as prime minister just days after he was named to the post. Sargsyan was Armenia’s president for 10 years before stepping down because of term limits.

——

3:30 p.m.

The opposition leader spearheading weeks of protest in Armenia is warning the government not to deploy troops and says the country’s political crisis can’t be solved by force.

Nikol Pashinian told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the ruling party effectively was suicidal for rejecting his bid to become prime minister in a parliamentary vote a day earlier.

He said the rejection of his bid to lead the country had only galvanized the opposition and that if the government brings troops to the capital to quell protests “all the soldiers will come to us and join us.”

——

12:40 p.m.

Opposition protesters are blocking the road leading from Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, to its airport, as well as several subway stations and government ministries after their leader called for a national strike.

The actions Wednesday follow the parliament’s rejection of a bid by opposition leader Nikol Pashinian to become prime minister, and intensify the political turmoil that has gripped the country since mid-April.

Mass demonstrations forced Serzh Sargsyan to resign last week as prime minister just days after he was named to the post. Sargsyan was Armenia’s president for 10 years before stepping down due to term limits; he became prime minister amid a change in government structure that boosts the post’s powers, and opponents said the shift would allow him to remain the country’s leader indefinitely.

http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/the-latest-armenia-protest-leader-dont-deploy-troops

[Yervant1]

Amnesty International-

May 2 2018

Armenia: Right to peaceful assembly must be priority amid fresh opposition protests

2 May 2018, 13:15 UTC

Guaranteeing the right to peaceful assembly must be the top priority for law enforcement officials in Armenia, Amnesty International said as a new round of demonstrations spread across the country today.

Tens of thousands of people have joined peaceful nationwide rallies after the country’s parliament failed to elect opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as interim prime minister yesterday.

“Today Yerevan, and much of Armenia, is paralyzed. Peaceful demonstrators have blocked major roads with cars, chairs and garbage bins, while airport and Metro staff are on strike in solidarity with the protest movement,” said Amnesty International’s Campaigner for Europe and Central Asia Levan Asatiani, reporting from Yerevan.

“But despite the tense political climate, the demonstrations remain non-violent and well organized and the atmosphere is jubilant. The police presence is sporadic and without interference in the peaceful activities of protesters.

“It is important that authorities continue to facilitate the right of everyone to protest and express their views. Amid this period of political upheaval for Armenia, the priority must be that all voices can be heard.”

Pashinyan last night called for peaceful “civil disobedience” after members of the ruling Republican Party blocked his bid to take over as prime minister from Serzh Sargsyan, who resigned last week.

Some peaceful protesters who took part in anti-government demonstrations last month told Amnesty International they had been subjected to beatings and arbitrary detentions by the police as punishment for their dissent.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/05/armenia-right-to-peaceful-assembly-must-be-priority-amid-fresh-opposition-protests/

[Yervant1]

 

168.am

| 14:03 | May 1 2018

Category

Politics

 

 

 

 

 

‘Why should we believe that your orientation towards Russia and EEU has changed?’ – ruling party MP to Pashinyan

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During the ongoing pre-vote hearing, Republican Party (HHK) lawmaker Hayk Babukhanyan asked opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, who seeks to be elected PM, on the ideas that he will be guided with if elected, on his stance regarding Russia and the EEU.

“We and you have deep ideological disagreements. We are followers of national conservative ideology, you are liberal. When you were saying that not a single Republican candidate should be nominated for Prime Minister, did you in fact mean that the country should solely be guided with liberal ideas and that leading the country with national conservatism ideology shouldn’t be allowed? In addition, once you had said that you don’t know what national system of values means. Let me say that national ideology implies struggle against totalitarian sects, struggle against giving privileges to sexual minorities, against vulgar feminism and other anti-national ideologies. While the European liberal ideology displays tolerance to these issues. Next observation, you are endorsed abroad by such radical pro-Western politicians like Saakashvili, Navalny, while US Assistant Secretary of State Mitchell expressed unconcealed support to you. I think there are many pro-Western politicians in your circle also, and if we add on this the anti-Russian expressions, your initiative of withdrawing from the EEU in your pre-election program, then why should we know believe that your orientation for Russia, the EEU has changed?” – Babukhanyan asked.

In response, Pashinyan mentioned that in the modern world the delimitations associated with the so called “ism”s are disappearing consistently.

“I will present a neutral example, communism and private property were considered to be incompatible things, but today China, which is one of the developed countries in the world, has combined communism and private property, which means that the era of the “ism”s has long ended.

Now in an era when the most important issue is ensuring the happiness of people, I think it has absolutely nothing to do with any “ism”” Pashinyan said.

Regarding his past statements on withdrawing from the EEU, Pashinyan said that a situational change has happened today.

“An assessment was said and given in our pre-election program about Armenia’s membership to the EEU and there is no secret that we had voted against this decision. Our pre-election program says that risks exist there which must be managed. It is one situation when you are forced to address these risks as an opposition, but it is another situation when you can address these risks as the government. The difference of the situations is that you have the chance to discuss these issues with colleagues and reach a common agreement. This is our attitude. In order to accurately assess this situation one must record one thing, I am obliged to present the collective opinion of the people, and even to stand above what I’ve said in the past,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan also emphasized that he finds it to be inadmissible for any politician to be called pro-Western, pro-Russian, pro-American, pro-Iranian or pro-Georgian.

“Politics in Armenia should be done solely by pro-Armenian politicians. And I find the core of Armenia’s national ideology to be the following – the meaning of existence of Armenia, as a state, is the centralization of human spiritual, economic, financial potential in its own territory, and ensuring the security of this potential and normal development. And my greatest goal is to ensure a big repatriation,” he said.

https://en.168.am/2018/05/01/24605.html

 

[Yervant1]

Once you eliminate the corruption and create a safe environment for fair business conditions, the investments will come from the diaspora Armenians and other investors. Diaspora Armenians are dying for the chance to invest in Armenia, the only roadblock is the corruption just fix that and things will improve!

 

168.am

| 15:15 | May 1 2018

Category

Society

Poverty problem is surmountable, says Pashinyan

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Republican Party (HHK) faction MP Hakob Hakobyan asked candidate for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about his tasks in social affairs if elected to office.

Speaking at the ongoing parliamentary debate on electing a Prime Minister, Hakobyan said that the pre-election program of Civil Contract – the party led by Pashinyan – doesn’t specially include provisions about social issues, whereas as a future Prime Minister he must make his party program the core of his policy.

Hakobyan asked what approach Pashinyan has over demographics, pension, salaries and poverty.

“Regarding poverty there is a simple solution, we have budget revenues accordingly, economy which is ready, which is able to provide the minimal and more needs of the people. It is obvious that one of the reasons of the current changes is that Armenians understood that no longer should they have hopes for the solution of the problem with the ruling majority and that changes are required”, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan says he is receiving numerous calls from wealthy businessmen from the Diaspora who are saying that they are ready to come and invest in Armenia.

“A leap development awaits for our economy not on behalf of the government’s focus, a magic stick, but rather on behalf of clear investment flow from the Armenian Diaspora. We are expecting significant increase of budget revenues, which in turn will bring to opening of new jobs, increase of pensions and decrease of poverty. Of course, I can’t say now to what percent poverty will drop, but I am convinced that poverty, as a problem in Armenia, is surmountable,” he said.

In response, Hakobyan said that the answer concerned only to decreasing unemployment and therefore the subsequent cut of poverty, however a clear response wasn’t made regarding salaries and pensions.

In response, Pashinyan said that economic development and creation of jobs will naturally bring to demand for employees, the greater the more higher paid.

“If jobs, budgetary revenue problems are solved in a developing economy, the other problems can’t remain on the same level”, he said.

https://en.168.am/2018/05/01/24619.html

 

[Yervant1]

Foreign Policy Journal

May 4 2018

Armenia’s People-Power Revolution, Russia, and the Western Bloc

By David Boyajian | May 4, 2018 |

A view of Mount Ararat from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. (Serouj Ourishian/CC BY 4.0)

Armenia’s populace simply wants Armenia to become stronger and more self-confident in every way—for Armenians’ own sake and so that Russia treats it equitably. This is neither anti-Russian nor pro-Western Bloc. It’s just the right thing to do.

As I write this, massive peaceful civil actions against Armenia’s establishment have continued under the leadership of Nikol Pashinyan, a National Assembly (N.A.) member who is part of the opposition Yelk (Way Out) Alliance. Though widely unpopular Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan has been forced to resign, his Republican Party (RPA) still has a narrow majority (58 of 105) in the N.A. Most observers believe that the RPA members were elected through fraud, bribery, and intimidation.

The RPA’s politicians and oligarchs are also generally blamed for stealing billions of the country’s wealth; violating civil rights; debasing the judiciary and civil service; keeping the talented Armenian Diaspora at arm’s length; and failing to successfully address Armenia’s many problems: corruption, a less-than-robust economy, unemployment, outward migration, and more.

A bright spot: Christian Armenia and its brother Artsakh/Karabagh Republic survive, even though blockaded by genocidal Turkey and Turkic/Muslim Azerbaijan, who outnumber Armenians by 90 million people. This miracle is due to the tenacity of Armenia’s people and armed forces.

As Armenia is a long-time friend and admirer of our country, we Americans need to understand it.

Why Armenia Matters

The current revolution is home-grown and purely Armenian. Outside powers—whether countries or organizations—neither initiated nor control the revolution. Still, major nations definitely have strong opinions, usually unstated, about the present crisis.

Russia loathes the revolution. Russia wants Armenia to continue to be highly dependent on it for natural gas, the nuclear power plant and energy grid, investments, sophisticated weapons, and the right to travel to Russia to work and sometimes deposit stolen money. Ongoing corruption in Armenia makes it easier for Russia to bribe, intimidate, and blackmail dishonest leaders and oligarchs, represented mainly by the RPA. A Russian base guards Armenia’s border with Turkey.

(Map courtesy of www.theodora.com/maps. Used with permission.)

Why is Russia so intent on controlling its small ally? Because without Armenia, Russia would lose its grip on the Caucasus, Caspian Sea, and probably Central Asia. The US/NATO/EU/Turkey (“Western Bloc”) would then move in. Thus perched along the Russian Bear’s soft underbelly, NATO would slice it open and have his insides for dinner. Thus, Russia needs Armenia far more than it cares to admit.

Georgia was coopted by the Western Bloc years ago. It has invested billions in Georgia, which desires NATO membership as protection against Russia.

Azerbaijan, corrupt and a virtual dictatorship, but flush with oil and gas income, has also expressed interest in joining NATO. Over 27 years, the Western Bloc has invested untold billions in Azerbaijan in such sectors as energy, banking, hotels, aviation, agriculture, and consulting. The Western Bloc has also constructed major oil and gas pipelines from Azerbaijan’s Caspian fields through Georgia and into Turkey and beyond. More such pipelines (to supply Europe) are planned.

Interestingly, Israel receives around 40% of its oil from Azerbaijan and sells it billions in weapons. Major Jewish organizations such as the American Jewish Committee provide Azerbaijanpolitical support while, sadly, a coterie of Jewish writers constantly and unfairly berate Armenia in the US and international media.

The Pan-Turkic Path

Turkey’s long-standing dream is a pan-Turkic path from Turkey to Azerbaijan, then across the Caspian Sea to the four Central Asian Turkic countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Western Bloc has implicitly bought into pan-Turkism in order to exploit the region’s energy deposits and, as explained, perch along Russia’s underbelly.

Georgia—predominantly non-Turkic and Christian—serves as the Western Bloc’s door into the Caucasus. Of course, Georgia remains under Russian pressure. Witness not only Russia’s support for Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but also Georgia’s defeat in the 2008 Russian-Georgian war. All that pressure becomes meaningless, however, were Russia to lose Armenia to the Western Bloc.

Russia would then have no military or operational base in the Caucasus. Moreover, if Armenia got off its dependence on Russian energy and military equipment, Russia would have little ability to pressure Armenia, especially as the two lack a common border.

The Western Bloc’s path to the Caspian Sea (which a NATO fleet would dominate) and Central Asia would be wide open. NATO would probably eventually sit along Iran’s northern border.

Russia could also lose its mainly Muslim North Caucasus regions (Chechnya, Daghestan, etc.) to the Western Bloc.

‘As Armenia goes, so goes the Caucasus, Caspian, and Central Asia’ is a fair statement. For Russia, Armenia is vital—perhaps a matter of life or death. Russia needs Armenia far more than it will admit.

Unfortunately, many Armenians who see Russia as a Christian “big brother” don’t realize that the Russian-Armenian relationship should be a two-way street.

Would Armenia ever join the Western Bloc?

Armenia’s Dilemma

To dissuade it from explicitly joining the Western Bloc, Russia is flattering Azerbaijan as a “strategic partner” (which it really isn’t) and sells it weapons that it will use against Armenia/Artsakh. Russia is also cozying up to Turkey to pull it away from the Western Bloc. It won’t work. Turkey and Azerbaijan (“One nation, two states”) are historically and inherently hostile to Russia. But it makes Armenia nervous nevertheless.

Armenia’s main concern is security. Armenians remember the Genocide of 1915-23 and numerous anti-Armenian massacres committed by Turks against Armenians in the last 150 years. Since 1991, Turkey has threatened several times to attack Armenia. In 1993, Turkey and the Muslim Chechen Speaker of the Russian Duma hatched a plan to invade Armenia while Russia stood aside. Turkey also arms and trains the Azerbaijani army.

And Azeris have long committed massacres against Armenians—as recently as the late 1980s, early 1990s, and currently against Armenians in Artsakh/Karabagh.

Armenians know this history very well. Western Bloc attempts to reassure Armenia that Turkish intentions are benign are understandably treated with derision. With Turkey’s return to its traditional authoritarianism and repression, and its ongoing alliance with jihadists in Syria, even the Western Bloc is reconsidering its long-standing sycophantic treatment of Turkey.

However, Armenians know that Russia may go too far in accommodating Turkey and Azerbaijan and thereby betray Armenia.

After WWI, Turkey used weapons supplied by Bolshevik Russia to exterminate the former’s remaining Armenian citizens and invade the independent Republic of Armenia. Russia also gifted Armenian territory, including Artsakh and Nakhichevan, to Azerbaijan. Russia prevented Armenia from retaking Western Armenia (now eastern Turkey), which Armenia was entitled to according to the Treaty of Sevres (1920) signed by the European powers. Russia could sell out Armenia to Turks and Azeris in similar ways today.

It’s possible, therefore, that Armenia could turn to NATO as a protector. This is risky, however. NATO member Turkey far exceeds Armenia in military weight. Moreover, the West, though historically sympathetic to Christian Armenians for hundreds and even thousands of years, has generally helped Armenians only in humanitarian—not military—ways.

Still, it is possible for Armenia to switch sides if Russia continues to treat Armenia as little more than a pawn. In fact, one pro-Russian writer just called Armenia a “pawn.”

Indeed, Armenia has excellent relations with the Western Bloc (except for Turkey) and recently signed a partnership agreement with the EU. The Western Bloc, of course, silently hopes that the current revolution and possible internal liberalization in Armenia will someday turn it away from Russia.

Shaping its Own Destiny

The RPA, Russia’s favorite pin-up boys, is trying to depict Nikol Pashinyan as anti-Russian and thus a security risk.

However, Pashinyan has firmly stated that Armenia’s alliance with Russia will not change, nor will Armenia drop out of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and CTSO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) if he becomes Prime Minister.

The RPA claims that Pashinyan is anti-Russian because he once opposed his country’s entry into the EEU and preferred an association agreement with the European Union. The charge is absurd. Until Russia twisted his arm in 2013, even then-President Serzh Sargsyan was set to sign an agreement with the EU.

Armenians appreciate Russia’s help. But they refuse to be taken for granted and betrayed yet again.

Armenia’s populace simply wants Armenia to become stronger and more self-confident in every way—for Armenians’ own sake and so that Russia treats it equitably.

This is neither anti-Russian nor pro-Western Bloc. It’s just the right thing to do.

https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2018/05/04/armenias-people-power-revolution-russia-and-the-western-bloc/