Artsakh newsletter

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Re: Artsakh newsletter

ARTSAKH NEWSLETTER

June 1-15 2016



In the run up to the Aliyev regime organized Formula One race in Baku on June 16-19 and presidential summit hosted by Russian president on June 20, Azerbaijan refrained from serious military provocations. The Line of Contact has been relatively quiet, although occasional shooting continued. Azerbaijani forces also fired towards border villages in Armenian Tavush province. No casualties were reported.

President Sahakyan discussed issues related to an elimination of consequences of Azerbaijan's aggression with a group of residents from the Talish village, Martakert region, who were displaced during recent fighting and temporarily reside in the town of Charentsavan. President Sahakyan expressed gratitude to the Armenian authorities and local administrations for their support of Talish residents.



HALO Trust reported about finding of fragments of “Smerch” multiple rocket launcher in southern Artsakh used by Azeri forces against civilians during recent April war.

A 39-year-old Azerbaijani female crossed the border into Tavush and was subsequently repatriated to Azerbaijan under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); she was subsequently placed in a psychiatric institution by Azerbaijani authorities.

POLITICS

President Sahakyan accompanied by Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan and other officials visited Brussels for meetings at the Belgian parliament, with the leaders of the Belgian Armenian community, representatives of the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD), and a talk at the “Foundation Universitaire." Artsakh delegation also visited the Brussels Francophone Parliament and the Brussels Flemish Parliament and met with their members. While visiting the city of Mechelen, located between Brussels and Antwerp, the NKR President met with local leaders, laid a wreath to the cross stone-memorial of the Armenian Genocide victims, and participated in the official reception in honor of Artsakh delegation organized at the city’s administration.



Armenian parliamentarians circulated NKR Foreign Ministry’s statement at the session of NATO Parliamentary Assembly held in Tirana, Albania. The statement proposes the sending of a monitoring mission to the region.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Artsakh Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan visited Switzerland and France to meet with local Armenian communities and business circles.

Karabakh Telecom presented a new “Family” package.

SOCIETY & CULTURE

Artsakh celebrated the International Children’s Day. President Sahakyan addressed the nation on the occasion.



HISTORICAL REFERENCE



June 12 marked the anniversary of the Artsakh National Hero Monte Melkonian’s (Avo) death in combat in the Karabakh war.


Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA
734 15th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005

Tel: (202) 481-3341
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nkrusa.org


We would like to hear from you.
Please send your comments to the NKR Office Press Service at: [email protected]

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

TVArtsakh: "ՕՐ ԼՐԱՏՎԱԿԱՆԻ ՀԻՄՆԱԿԱՆ ԹՈՂԱՐԿՈՒՄ 20.00 | 20.05.2016" and more videos

ՕՐ ԼՐԱՏՎԱԿԱՆԻ ՀԻՄՆԱԿԱՆ ԹՈՂԱՐԿՈՒՄ 20.00 | 20.05.2016
4 hours ago • 145 views

2-я Карабахская война. ПВО Армии Обороны/2nd Karabakh war. Nagorno-Karabakh Air Defense
MrBujuin

5 Things You Don't Know About: AK47s
Military.com

Tanks in battle in city streets

Tanks with GoPro's™ in Jobar Syria,real battle.Documentary video
Military Nuka and technology

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter



May 1-15, 2016

Issue# 124


SECURITY & DEFENSE


SECURITY & DEFENSE


On April 2 around 2:30 AM, Azerbaijani forces launched a large-scale offensive against Artsakh. During the worst fighting since the 1994 ceasefire agreement, Azerbaijan used thousands of soldiers, hundreds of artillery, tanks, attack drones and a number of aircraft, in the effort to capture territory of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. During this aggression Azerbaijani forces committed war crimes, including the willful murder of three elderly residents of Talish (warning: the material contains graphic images), in NKR’s north, whose bodies were subsequently mutilated.



From April 2 to 5, as the Artsakh Defense Army repelled the attack, 65 Armenian military servicemen and 15 volunteers were killed in combat or shelling. Four civilians, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed and 115 houses and other infrastructure been damaged or destroyed. Azeri sources do not disclose their own military casualties, however, they are believed to be in the hundreds. Photos taken by NKR defense army drones show Azerbaijani forces using own population as shields by placing artillery in immediate vicinity of home, in a clear violation of the international humanitarian law. The ceasefire was restored through Russian mediation. Artsakh President awarded a group of Defense Army's servicemen, freedom-fighters and volunteers for courage and bravery shown during the defense of the NKR state borders. Read the unofficial chronology of events here.

(Image from war zone: Artsakh Defence Army in action repelling Azeri aggressor's attacks)



Azerbaijani forces continued to violate the cease-fire throughout April and May, and Armenian forces retaliated. “The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, being committed to an exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict and making every effort to fully restore the ceasefire, is at the same time prepared to stop, in the strongest terms, any attempts of Azerbaijan to unleash another aggression”, the NKR Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 22nd anniversary of trilateral cease-fire agreement between Artsakh, Azerbaijan and Armenia.



NKR Human Rights Defender's office released an Interim Public Report on atrocities committed by Azerbaijani military forces against the civilian population of the NKR and the servicemen of the NKR Defence Army on April 2-5, 2016. Read full report here (warning: the material contains graphic images).


POLITICS

Following the attack, the OSCE Minsk Group mediators visited Baku, Stepanakert and Yerevan to discuss the Karabakh peace process and restoration of cease-fire. President Bako Sahakyan reiterated NKR's position that no resolution was possible without Artsakh's direct participation in the negotiation process.

Artsakh Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan stressed the importance of visit of international organizations' representatives to Artsakh in order to receive firsthand information, in his meeting with EU Special Representative Herbert Salber in Yerevan. After the meeting, Foreign Minister answered the journalists' questions.



International community raised its voice against Azerbaijan's aggression including congressional leadership, members of the European Parliament, MPs from various European countries, the Organization of American States, the European Ombudsman Institute and others.

During April, MPs and other public figures from many countries including the United States, the EU parliament, Greece, Latvia, Germany, Cyprus, Romania and other states visited Artsakh or issued statements to express support for peace and NKR's freedom.






COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Dozens of Armenian-American organizations condemned Azerbaijan’s aggression and called upon President Obama to lead the way for “peace and long-term regional stability”

A number of Armenians all over the world expressed readiness to support Artsakh to overcome Azerbaijan's aggression. Millions of U.S. dollars were transferred to NKR government's account created to centralize assistance efforts.





Hayastan All-Armenian Fund raised more than 1.1 million dollars during recent Help Artsakh! special telethon.

SOCIETY

President Sahakyan met with delegates of Hay Dat (Armenian National Committee) to discuss Artsakh-related issues. Members of Hay Dat delegations also had a separate meeting with Foreign Minister Mirzoyan.



The HALO Trust initiated emergency clearance of unexploded ordnance in the NKR resulting from recent fighting between Artsakh and Azerbaijani forces.

CULTURE

During the engineering works, Artsakh Army soldiers discovered an ancient necropolis from antique times.



PUBLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS

NKR President Bako Sahakyan spoke about situation in Artsakh, consequences of Azerbaijan's aggression and Karabakh peace process during his exclusive interview to Artsakh TV.

“Karabakh conflict is not an issue of territory, but self-determination issue”, said NKR Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan in his interview to CNN.

"Should war resume, we will advance,” said Artsakh defense minister Lt. Gen. Levon Mnatsakanyan, in an interview to Washington Post.


HISTORICAL REFERENCE

Liberation of Shushi (May 1992)

Artsakh marked the 24th anniversary of liberation of the town of Shushi- one of the key early successes of the Armenian forces in the 1991-1994 Karabakh war. This military victory also symbolized the rebirth of the Armenian spirit that resonated far beyond Artsakh, to all corners of the world. In the following days Artsakh Defense Forces restored a vital land-link with Armenia. Fierce battles continued for two more years, but the Shushi operation made all subsequent victories possible.

Cease Fire Agreement, May 1994

May 12 marks an anniversary of the cease fire agreement signed by Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. Azerbaijan, having sustained major military reversals and with its armed units pushed out of most of Artsakh, was forced to sign a cease-fire agreement. The document remains one of the key achievements of the Karabakh peace process that helped re-establish stability in the region. The cease fire agreement was preceded by the Bishkek Protocol of May 5, 1994. Watch a video about cease-fire agreement negotiations between Defense Ministers of NKR, Azerbaijan and Armenia under the mediation of the Russian Defense Minister.


Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA
734 15th Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005

Tel: (202) 481-3341
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nkrusa.org


We would like to hear from you.
Please send your comments to the NKR Office Press Service at: [email protected]

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NKRinUSA

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter



January 1-15, 2015

Issue# 101



SECURITY & POLITICS



NKR leaders offered condolences over the shocking murders of an entire family of seven, including two small children, in Gyumri on January 12. A soldier from the Russian base in the city has been detained and charged with the heinous crime. Memorial services for the families were held at churches around Armenia and Artsakh.

Azerbaijan continued to violate the cease-fire agreement attempting to infiltrate across the border with Artsakh. Karen Grigoryan and Vardan Mkrtchyan were killed, Volodya Harutyunyan wounded on January 3 while repelling one of the attacks. In a January 11 incident, Azeri unit crossed the border in Armenia’s Tavush region and killed 79-year-old civilian Seryozha Sarkisyan.





President Bako Sahakyan spent the New Year with army units on the border.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay stressed the need for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict on the basis of peoples’ right to self-determination. The Ministry condemned ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan.



ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

NKR government expects 9 percent GDP growth in 2015, Prime Minister Ara Harutynyan reported at his annual press conference. Harutyunyan highlighted the 40 percent growth in tourism in 2014. He also told news media that NKR maintains trade ties with 20 countries, with 95 percent of trade relations focused on CIS countries.



Artsakh’s largest industrial enterprise Base Metals launched construction of new facilities at Kashen mine, which is set to employ 1,200 people.

SOCIETY & CULTURE

29 Artsakhtsis - 17 girls and 12 boys - were born in the first week of 2015.



PUBLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS

The Hill blog, a Washington-based publication, carried an article by Vilen Khlgatyan and Armen Sahakyan titled “Aliyev’s dictatorship is threat to regional and global stability”.

Armenian-J3iish community denounced Azerbaijani government-inspired allegations of anti-Semitism in Armenia.

HISTORICAL REFERENCE

On January 13, 1990, mobs in Baku, Azerbaijan launched brutal, house-by-house attacks on ethnic Armenians still living in the Azerbaijani capital that came to be known as Baku pogroms. The total death toll was never definitively established, but deaths of many dozens of Armenians had been confirmed. In the following days, Soviet authorities evacuated remnants of the community of Baku that prior to the conflict numbered more than a quarter million people.

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter



December, 2014

Issue# 100

SECURITY

Violations by Azerbaijani forces continued on the Line of Contact. On December 8, Private Garik Ispiryan, 19, (on the picture) died from hostile fire. Armenian forces retaliated. Azerbaijan continues to reject confidence-building proposals by international mediators intended to reduce tensions between the sides. Ispiryan was posthumously awarded.


POLITICS

In Washington, members of Congress, Armenian community and diplomats gathered on Capitol Hill to celebrate the anniversary of Artsakh’s independence. The event had Artsakh Parliament Chairman Ashot Ghulian as the keynote speaker. For more information, read press-releases by the ANCA, AAA and the Embassy of Armenia.

As part of his trip Ghulian met with Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Armenian Congressional Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and other members of the U.S. Congress, State Department officials, think tank representatives and Armenian-Americans.

In a statement recalling the destruction of Armenian heritage sites in Azerbaijani-controlled territory, NKR Foreign Ministry argued that “Azerbaijani leadership place its country among terrorist organizations."


ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

Development of tourism, including establishment of an eco-village in Artsakh, is the new concept developed by Russian-Armenian philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan.


SOCIETY & CULTURE

New medical clinic and regional hospital opened doors in Martakert and Martuni. Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan and other officials attended the opening ceremonies. Watch an Artsakh TV report


Artsakh inaugurated a new crisis management center.



Repository of ancient manuscripts (Matenadaran) will have a branch in Artsakh


Construction of the new district in the village of Ishkhanadzor in Kashatagh district, intended primarily for Syrian Armenians, will be funded through income from Artsakh national lottery.

PUBLICATIONS

Basque Member of the Spanish Parliament Jon Inarritu (on the left of the picture) and Basque Member of the Spanish Senate Urko Aiartza (on the right of the picture) called upon the international community to “use a more explicit language” and to “call a spade a spade” in recently-published joint op-ed on shooting down of the Artsakh Army’s unarmed helicopter by Azeri forces.


CNN International featured the documentary “On the Road-Armenia”.


HISTORICAL REFERENCE

December 7th marked the anniversary of the devastating earthquake in northern Armenia in 1988. NKR officials, general public visited the Memorial in Stepanakert to honor the memory of victims.


On December 10, 1991 the national Referendum in Artsakh reflected an overwhelming (99.98%) endorsement of independence for then newly-formed Nagorno Karabakh Republic. 82% of the total number of Artsakh’s registered voters participated in the poll.

Fifteen years later, on December 10, 2006, the people of independent Artsakh reaffirmed their commitment to live in free and sovereign democracy by adopting the republic’s Constitution

The NKR Office in the United States Wishes You a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year and a Merry Christmas!!!

[Eddo211]

Re: Artsakh newsletter



November 15-30, 2014

Issue# 99

SECURITY



On November 12, Azeri forces shot down Artsakh Army helicopter during a training flight. Baku refused to provide international access to the incident area. NKR defense army retrieved the corpse of one pilot, the remains of the two other crew members in a special operation. The pilots - major Sergey Sahakyan, first lieutenant Sargis Nazaryan, and lieutenant Azat Sahakyan (in the picture) - received military honors as they were laid to rest in a state funeral in Yerevan.

POLITICS

Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan visited California, participated in the annual telethon of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund. In the USA, President also met with public figures, Diaspora organizations and businessmen. At a special reception President Sahakyan awarded American and American-Armenian state and public figures for promoting international recognition of the Artsakh’s independence.



Following the visit to the United States, President Sahakyan visited Italy, discussed bilateral ties with Senators, members of the research and academic community.

International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) expressed support to the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts to resolve the Karabakh issue in its summit’s final resolution.
Artsakh’s Askeran and French Bouc-Bel-Air sign Declaration of friendship.

The Mayor of the French city of Valence Nicolas Daragon joined the France-Karabakh Friendship Circle.

Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan stressed the importance of increasing the interest of youth in foreign policy during a meeting with participants of the Voice of Artsakh Youth project organized by the European Integration and Institute for Public Diplomacy and Artsakh Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs.

ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

The NKR government submitted draft of FY 2015 state budget to parliament’s consideration. The document remains socially oriented, government says.


Tobacco fields are set to increase to 200 hectares in Artsakh. Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan discussed the issue with local private and public sector.

Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund concluded its 17th international telethon securing more than $12 million in donations and pledges for the construction of the Vardenis-Mardakert highway and other significant projects.

Stepanakert Brandy Factory’s “Madatov” product received the Best Brand award at the CUBAEXPO 2014 fair, Havana. The brandy also took gold during the International Competition of Wines and Alcoholic Drinks in Russia, while Berdashen wine won silver.


SOCIETY & CULTURE


1.8 percent more Artsakhtsis were born from January to October 2014 comparing to last year. Number of marriages also increased by 66% in 2014.

Artsakh Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Narine Aghabalian visited France to meet French state and local government representatives as well as French-Armenian Diaspora organizations. During her visit, Minister Aghabalian also attended the concert of the “Voices of Artsakh” group in Issy-les-Moulineaux, a town near Paris.

NTERVIEWS & PUBLICATIONS

While visiting California, Artsakh President Sahakyan answered questions from the mass media at his meeting with leading Armenian-American media groups.

The Fresno Bee covered Artsakh President’s visit to Fresno, California.

HISTORICAL REFERENCE



Artsakh War Hero Monte Melkonian (Avo), one of the legendary commanders, would have turned 57 this year. Born in California, Monte joined the Artsakh Defense Army during the Karabakh war of 1991-1994 and fought against Azerbaijan’s aggression. He commanded the Artsakh Self-Defense Forces in Martuni and participated in military operations in Shahumyan, Shushi, Kelbajar, Aghdam and other areas. On June 12, 1993, Melkonian was killed in combat near the village of Merzuli during the Aghdam operation. He was posthumously awarded the state honor of Artsakh Hero for his service to the republic. Watch the Artsakh TV report and a documentary about Monte Melkonian. Also watch documentary in English with Avo's interview that contains war scenes.



This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States on behalf of the government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C

[Tsov]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

Artsakh Brandy Headed for Havana After Winning CUBAEXPO 2014 Competition

Knar Babayan

12:55, December 10, 2014

Brandy produced in Artsakh and made from local grapes will soon be sold on Cuban store shelves afterwinning a slew of international medals. Ten and fifteen year-old 'Madatov' brandies, produced by the Stepanakert Cognac Factory CJSC, won gold medals at the 18th Wine and Alcohol Beverage Competition recently held in Moscow. The company’s 'Berdashen Khdoghni' one year aged wine won a silver medal. The 'Madatov' brandy also won a “best brand” medal at the CUBAEXPO 2014 held last month in Havana. To find out more, Hetq spoke with Stepanakert Cognac Factory Director Rouslan Israyelyan. What beverages do you produce and with whom do you collaborate? We focus on making brandy but also produce six types of fruit vodkas and the same amount of wines. Given that the vodkas are marketed under the name 'Karabakh', the Azerbaijanis raised a clamor, as usual, and tried to prevent them being sold at a duty free shop at one of Russia’s airports. We cooperate with the Yerevan Brandy Factory and supply them with young alcohol that we distill with their special equipment. It speaks to the fact that our product is high quality. Many have complained about this year’s drought in Artsakh. Has it affected your harvest? This year we collected 2,560 tons of grapes, less than half of last year’s 5,200 tons. Luckily, last year’s harvest was so good that we were able to preserve some of the grapes for this year’s production. Our plant has the capacity to collect 6,000 – 6,500 tons of grapes. We plan to gradually increase brandy production to one million bottles annually. Are the grapes all locally grown? Yes, except for the apricot and a bit of the cornel vodkas. We’ve been importing the fruits from Armenia. All the bottling paraphernalia also comes from Armenia. So where are the brandy, vodkas and wines sold? Naturally, most is sold overseas; especially in Russia, Australia, and Belgium. Cuba will soon be added to the list. Our brandies have garnered international recognition after the Cuba Expo. Many want to work with us. But we aren’t in any rush and closely review all proposals. One of the problems we face is in terms of quantity. If we see that we can’t fulfill a client’s order we won’t accept it. Are your prices competitive? Are prices are expensive when compared to similar products of other local business, but at the same time they are inexpensive when compared to, let’s say, the Yerevan Brandy Factory. Prices are based firstly on quality. It’s no wonder, then, that a ten year aged brandy can’t be sold for 1,500 AMD. How many employees work at your plant and what’s their average salary? We have 300 permanent workers at the main plant, at the Martouni and Karmir Shouka branches, and out in the fields. At peak season this number grows to around 700. Regarding salaries, they aren’t huge but are paid on time. This is what’s important and it’s an improvement over past years. There were times when workers wouldn’t get paid for months. (Since Mr. Israyelyan failed to give us specific salary numbers, Hetq asked a few workers who told us that they receive 50,000 AMD (US$110) per month maximum) Armenia will soon be entering the Eurasian Economic Union. How will this affect you as an exporter? It will not affect us in any way since the export of alcoholic beverages is exempt from taxation. We only import some bottling items. But since these are also used to export goods, they are also not taxed. They’re regarded as raw materials to be exported.

[Mher]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

I like the Gyumri and Vanadzor idea as well. Armenia seriously needs a "second city", the emphasis on Yerevan is overblown.

On the topic of Vardenis - Martakert road, I noticed that there is a segment of highway missing that takes you more directly from Yerevan to Vardenis. Instead you go up to Sevan and drive along its shore back down to reach Vardenis. Maybe a highway can be built that connects the two more directly? It would cut Yerevan-Artsakh drive even more dramatically. I don't know how feasible it is but if it is, definitely worth a look. If you wanna see what i'm talking about click here https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Yere...72!2d40.180556 or simply go on Google maps and type directions from Yerevan to Vardenis.

Armenia desperately needs a second city, and Yerevan desperately needs a new kentron. The entire life of Armenia is focused on from Hraparak to Opera. It's very unhealthy sign for a country to be so centered around one city. Such a set up is common in backward countries where the ruling business elite reside in a single highly desired location and price out the rest of the country from it and condemn them to unpaved roads and lack of running water and electricity. If you look at some of the more successful European countries with excellent wealth distribution and human development, many don't have a single city the size of Yerevan despite having a population 2-3X Armenia's. Alternatively, there's little distinction between their largest cities.

And thank you for that explanation Tsov

[Federate]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

You'll have to go through the Geghama mountain range which is a very high range. Even if it's somehow to lay a road it will be very costly and the resulting road will be very wiggly. While the road to Sevan is a straight highspeed motorway.

The only way to make good and faster replacement of the Sevan road would be to make a tunnel but that really be a major and costly effort. So for the time being the Sevan motorway is the best way.

Thanks for the explanation Tsov and welcome to the forum. That also kinda explains why there's basically no settlements in that area.

[Tsov]

Re: Artsakh newsletter

I like the Gyumri and Vanadzor idea as well. Armenia seriously needs a "second city", the emphasis on Yerevan is overblown.

On the topic of Vardenis - Martakert road, I noticed that there is a segment of highway missing that takes you more directly from Yerevan to Vardenis. Instead you go up to Sevan and drive along its shore back down to reach Vardenis. Maybe a highway can be built that connects the two more directly? It would cut Yerevan-Artsakh drive even more dramatically. I don't know how feasible it is but if it is, definitely worth a look. If you wanna see what i'm talking about click here https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Yere...72!2d40.180556 or simply go on Google maps and type directions from Yerevan to Vardenis.

You'll have to go through the Geghama mountain range which is a very high range. Even if it's somehow to lay a road it will be very costly and the resulting road will be very wiggly. While the road to Sevan is a straight highspeed motorway.

The only way to make good and faster replacement of the Sevan road would be to make a tunnel but that really be a major and costly effort. So for the time being the Sevan motorway is the best way.