2023 November 13

Daily news wrap-up

Nov/13/2023 edition of Daily Transcaucasian
by ar_david_hh

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Yerevan's Kievyan Bridge will undergo major repairs next year

The bridge was built in 1956 and has since been repaired 3 times. The repairs will introduce a new rainwater removal system (today the water pours onto the concrete) to prevent corrosion, and strengthen the plates under the asphalt.

The repairs will begin next year and last 2 years. The traffic will be restricted for 5 months. They need to tear the asphalt out, repair or replace the deformed plates, and lay new asphalt.

The road lanes will expand at the expense of sidewalks.

There is a space under the bridge on one side of the gorge. Years ago it was allegedly illegally privatized and turned into a restaurant, then a storage space. The government will regain control and turn it into an underground passage so pedestrians can cross the bridge underground *(not from one side of the gorge to the other)*.

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVI10g-awCU)

Yerevan's subway will stop accepting the Soviet-era iconic coin-sized "zheton" in a major shift to a universal payment system

REPORTER: There are complaints that the new buses are not arriving frequently enough.

CITY: It's a problem during the rush hours when workers and students leave and return home. One of the main issues is traffic congestion. Buses leave the station every 10-15 minutes but the traffic can turn it into 20-25. There are almost no complaints in the Nor-Nork district thanks to the dedicated bus lane. The traffic begins when they reach Miasnikyan Ave. and travel through Kentron district. It breaks the interval.

REPORTER: What about the new payment methods?

CITY: 80% of buses have the new payment validators. The process will be completed by mid-December. In January, we will launch an awareness campaign to use the Tel-Cell mobile app for payments. In February, we will begin to accept bank cards for payment. We will also roll out special "packages" allowing you to travel for several hours at a time and monthly passes for unlimited travel. These will allow you to use a bus, trolley, and subway. These validators will be installed in the subway; the zhetons will be removed from circulation.

Q: What about drivers?

CITY: Buses will be cleaned and drivers are required to pay attention to their attire. They will wear blue shirts with black jackets. We fire a driver on the spot if we catch them smoking.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273315)

changes at ANIF (Armenian National Interests Fund)

The government established ANIF in 2019 to attract investments. It has since contributed to the foundation of national carrier Fly Arna, Hard Rock restaurant, Ayg solar farm, etc.

Deputy PM Tigran Avinyan and his team took charge in 2019. Later, the IMF advised Armenia to transfer ANIF's management from the PM's office to the Economy Ministry. There were also questions about whether Avinyan could serve as a deputy mayor and in ANIF simultaneously. Avinyan has decided to resign from ANIF.

Avinyan and his team are out. The Economy Ministry has taken over. Other members of the board of directors include the ex-PM of France Dominique de Villepin and Italian businessman Isidoro Lucciola.

After the takeover, Economy Minister Kerobyan has so far refused to approve ANIF's 2022 financial report, citing possible inaccuracies. This is despite the fact that an auditor KPMG has found no significant discrepancies in ANIF's 2022 audit. KPMG released the results in July 2023.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/756709/վահան-քերոբյանը-տիգրան-ավինյանին-ու-նրա-մտերիմներին-հեռացրել-է-anif-ի-խորհրդից/) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273460)

dialogue between H1 host Petros and chief TV regulator Tigran Hakobyan: incitement of violence and hate speech

PETROS: Today's topic is incitement of violence and hate speech. There are currently criminal investigations against public figures Aragats Akhoyan, Narek Malyan, Tatevik Virabyan, and Avetik Ishkhanyan but the latter turned out to be false despite the big fuss.

TIGRAN: Unfortunately, there have been instances of media inciting violence and even wars. A classic example is the New York Journal, which [incited the Spanish-American war](https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-yellow-journalism). The newspaper was owned by a media magnate who owned multiple outlets.

A more recent example is the use of radio to incite the Rwandan Genocide. They were accusing one group of being evil and being responsible for all the problems in the country. This is not that different from the comment made by ex-MP Aragats Akhoyan *[he called for the creation of a "list" of Pashinyan allies so they could be put down/killed later]*. Today it's merely a speech, but tomorrow it could turn into action. That's where the danger is.

Or the phrase "death to traitors" that we hear a lot these days. Are we going to practice the same that they do in rural Pakistan?

PETROS: Instigators often claim they have peaceful intentions but their goal is to use incendiary rhetoric long enough until it "sparks" physical violence somewhere.

TIGRAN: That is exactly what happens. Hate speech never remains speech. It eventually leads to action.

PETROS: The radio in Rwanda was not available in every region. There was significantly less violence in regions where it wasn't broadcasted. I believe this was the first time when, during the prosecution of perpetrators, they also charged two journalists for inciting the genocide.

Unfortunately, this culture of hate speech has existed in Armenia since our independence. During the 1990s war, [oppostion co-leader] Vazgen Manukyan, the same Vazgen Manukyan we see today, was declaring "death to traitors" against President Levon.

Not only is this rhetoric dangerous, but it also prevents a rational discourse around hot topics. When Levon presented his opinion on the Nagorno-Karabakh resolution, instead of engaging in debates, they began to accuse him of being a "traitor" and a "seller". We did not hear debates and counter-arguments. *Traitor, traitor, traitor.*

The media was not this extreme during Serj's tenure, although there were individual figures who were threatening rape and beheadings. The rhetoric turned extremely violent with specific calls for action after the 2020 war.

TIGRAN: I don't remember the opposition chanting "death to traitors" during Levon. He was just a "traitor". The "death" was added after 2020.

We must differentiate this hate speech from freedom of speech. Even in a free society you must have rules that regulate this. The criminal code in Europe, Canada, Russia, Iran, and the U.S. all envisage strict punishments against those who incite hatred, even if no action was followed after the incitement.

PETROS: Tatevik Virabyan was charged for saying we must "blow up" PM Pashinyan and his team and invade the state buildings, Avetik Ishkhanyan was calling for "death", Aragats Akhoyan wanted a "list" of targets, and so on. These aren't even examples of "hate speech", these are direct incitements of very specific violent actions. This transformation began after the 2020 war.

When it comes to punishment for incitement, the law differentiates public figures with a large audience from individuals who rant in their kitchens. The law also takes into account whether specific targets were mentioned. In the case of Akhoyan, he wants Pashinyan's allies to be killed, so there is a specific group of individuals who are the targets. There are also other elements that must be present in order for the court to deem the speech as an illegal incitement of violence.

[continue,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLltacPY0Gg)

report by Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

>in terms of the exercise of the right to freedom of speech, a decline is seen all over the world, whereas in Armenia, Moldova and Slovenia a significant growth has been recorded in this regard

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1124022.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273462)

RU-KZ meeting: Kazakh president speaks in Kazakh instead of Russian; surprised Russian delegates scramble to get their translators

[VIDEO](https://twitter.com/b_nishanov/status/1722697778076254468)

>Russian President Vladimir Putin has been mocked on social media after the leader of a close Russian ally apparently embarrassed Putin by not making his opening remarks in Russian.

[source,](https://www.newsweek.com/putin-humiliated-one-russia-closest-allies-1842656) [video,](https://twitter.com/b_nishanov/status/1722697778076254468)

Sergey Lavrov: the West is attempting to push Russia out of Central Asia and South Caucasus

FM of RUSSIA: The EU is not hiding its intentions, but it won't succeed. Russia has been historically present in these regions and will not disappear from there.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273402)

Azerbaijan mad at Iran again

The ambassador of Iran to Armenia recently stated that although Iran respects Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, it's still necessary to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan criticized the ambassador's remarks. The ambassador also said it's possible to triple the volume of electricity-for-gas exchange between Armenia and Iran.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/756701/իրանը-ղարաբաղի-բնակիչների-լեգիտիմ-իրավունքների-ապահովման-կողմնակիցն-է․-դեսպան/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD5bk341GTk)

meeting of foreign ministers of EU kicks off in Yerevan

The discussion will focus on AM-AZ negotiations around Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as on security support for Armenia. The EU may expand its civil monitoring mission in Armenia in response to "Azerbaijan’s threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia."

GERMANY: Europe needs to step up efforts to maintain the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Observing the situation on the ground and helping to stabilize Armenia’s border regions is a key prerequisite for launching a peace plan.

EU's Borrell: We decided to beef up our mission in Armenia with more patrols, more services. We will explore possible support for Armenia under the European Peace Facility [weapons?], and an option for visa liberalization for Armenia. We have to be vigilant for any attempt of destabilization of Armenia - internally and externally. Our message to Azerbaijan has been clear: any violation of Armenia's territorial integrity will be unacceptable and will have severe consequences for the quality of our relations. We need an AM-AZ peace treaty.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/eu_foreign_ministers_to_discuss_nagorno_karabakh_and_support_for_armenia_/) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/europe_needs_to_step_up_efforts_to_maintain_peace_between_armenia_and_azerbaijan_baerbock_/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zF8MmGF0a8?t=19)

Georgia has authorized the transfer of French weapons to Armenia through its territory

Azerbaijani media complained that dozens of French armored vehicles "Bastion" will be transferred to Armenia soon from a Georgian port. Foreign ministry of Azerbaijan criticized France for "defaming" Azerbaijan and "arming" Armenia. Armenia's foreign ministry did not confirm the transfer but reminded about the AM-FR military cooperation established recently.

... interview with military expert Vova Vartanov (VoMA)

REPORTER (1in): The French outlet *Quest-France* writes that the first batch of Bastion vehicles was shipped to Armenia and that these vehicles were initially meant for Ukraine but Ukraine rejected them because of their vulnerabilities against anti-tank weapons and mines. This is an unofficial information. What do you know about these vehicles and can they change anything on the ground? Are these similar to the Russian "Tiger"?

VOVA: Bastion has a medium-strength shield. They are old models but they are still good. Russians have better ones but we don't have enough units. If Ukraine truly rejected these units that means they are expecting newer models but they are mistaken in they believe a modern one will do better. A Fagot or an anti-tank mine will do its job without discrimination. It's too early for me to tell how well Bastion will perform in our mountains. I haven't been able to find any information on their use in the French Alps.

REPORTER: Either way it's better than nothing.

VOVA: Of course.

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arMIjOjavz0) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273429) [photos of vehicles,](https://factor.am/710451.html) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEt7YpMn4DM)

special forces units from Armenia, Greece, and Cyprus held joint exercises

They trained on how to respond quickly to emergency events, close-quarters combat tactics, and how to organize small-scale military exercises.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/756746/հայաստանի-հունաստանի-և-կիպրոսի-հատուկջոկատայինները-զորավարժություն-են-անցկացրել/)

60,000 Indians live and work in Armenia: Republican Union of Employers of Armenia

GAGIK MAKARYAN (union boss): Approximately 100 Indians arrive in Armenia daily. Direct Yerevan-New Delhi flights could launch soon. This would sharply increase the arrivals. If this trend continues, we could host as many as 200,000 Indians 1.5 years from now.

... why do Indians choose Armenia?

There are good working opportunities in Armenia. Besides that, Indians are able to integrate fairly easily. They often work in the construction and food delivery sectors. The high economic growth of recent years has resulted in worker shortages. Our economy needs these workers.

There is also a significant Russian workforce in Armenia. They primarily work in the IT sector. They also provide high-tech business advisory services in Armenia. Another sector where Russians are active is the restaurants and food industry. Around 1,000 Russian businesses opened in Armenia recently. //

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

Armenia's sambo team wins 10 medals during world championship held in Armenia

0 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze.

>Հայաստանի հավաքականը երբեք մեծահասակների աշխարհի առաջնության եզրափակիչներում 5 մասնակից չէր ունեցել. սա աննախադեպ էր:

[source,](https://factor.am/710530.html)

Armenia opens a new embassy in the UK: VIDEO

The inauguration ceremony took place on Monday, attended by FM Mirzoyan. Pashinyan earlier revealed that they decided to upgrade the chicken coop embassy into a luxury multi-story building in central London in order to upgrade ties with the UK and host "important people" without feeling embarrassed.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G55YcQzdEUc)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17unusl/nov132023_edition_of_daily_transcaucasian/