2023 November 14

Daily news wrap-up

Update: Draft evaders could pay a fine & return to Armenia /// Lukashenko threatens Pashinyan after nasty breakup /// French weapons & Azerbaijani disinformation campaign /// Armenia strengthens relations with Europe; Azerbaijan criticizes EU ///
by ar_david_hh

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ruling party MP explains how they calculated the $ amount necessary to expunge the "draft evader" charges, and possible amendments to the proposed bill

The MP revealed the declining number of conscripts [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17pfkko/universal_healthcare_work_requirement_new_clinics/). It was caused by a declining birth rate and increased migration after the 1990s war. The MP also [revealed a bill](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17jbiqg/armenias_public_tv_takes_a_sharp_turn_against/) to allow draft evaders aged 27-37 to safely return to Armenia by either paying ֏15 million or combining a smaller payment with a short-term army service. Draft evaders aged 18-26 won't get this opportunity. This bill is only for those who have criminal charges against them and do not have the opportunity to return and serve because they are above the conscription age (27).

There were complaints that ֏15 million ($37,000) is too much. Today the MP explained how they came up with that number.

QP HAYK SARGSYAN: The size of the conscript army decreased by 44% between 2010 and 2019, dropping to 24,000. It was due to declining births after 1992.

But this negative trend has stopped: 2,000 more boys were born in 2022 vs 2001. If the government continues the work in this direction, we could restore the previous size a decade from now.

REPORTER: How did you come up with the ֏10-15 million number? That's the amount necessary to avoid service or to serve only a month.

MP: ֏10M is the approximate salary we pay to a certified army contractor for a 2-year service *[the draft evader essentially pays for someone else to serve "on his behalf" to fill the gap]*. Nowadays, contractors who undergo an attestation process can earn ֏400,000/mo ($1,000/mo).

֏10M ($25,000) is for serving 1 month. It increases sharply to ֏15M ($37,000) if you don't want to serve at all. This is done intentionally to encourage evaders to serve at least 1 month and get accustomed to the army rules, learn how to shoot, and register at a specific military base. This will optimize the draft process later.

This practice is used in other countries. For example, Turks above the age of 25 can pay $3,500 and serve only 21 days. Kazakhs above 24yo can pay $850 and serve only 35 days. Georgians can pay $8,200 and skip their 1-year conscription completely.

Our goal is to give basic knowledge to future reservists. Those who serve 1 month will receive a zin-grquyk noting that they have served. Those who pay ֏15M and do not serve at all will be registered in reserves but the note will say they *haven't* served in the army.

I have also advised the government to increase the maximum age for compulsory service from 27 to 40. In Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey it's 40+.

When I first introduced this bill, there were critics who suggested that it's best to leave it as is and not drop the criminal charges against evaders. But that's very problematic considering our circumstances. The number of potential beneficiaries between the ages of 27-37 is 5,000. If they were to return to Armenia today, they would be imprisoned for 5 years while the state would pay over ֏1M a year to imprison each. We are better off creating conditions for them to return and register as reservists. The criminal charges are dropped automatically when they turn 37 due to the statute of limitations. If we give them no option other than to wait until they turn 37, there will be no benefit from them at all; they won't serve even a month and they won't pay a dime.

REPORTER: ֏15M is a lot of money to skip service completely. What percentage of those 5,000 would be able to pay that much?

MP: In 2004 a law was adopted allowing them to pay only ֏1.8M ($4,500) to skip service. In 2007 it was raised to ֏3.6M ($8,900).

The reason my bill demands $37,000 is because my colleagues at the Defense Ministry were against the idea of allowing anyone not to serve, so we came up with a higher $ amount after several discussions. We could end up lowering the amount for those who wish to serve at least a month, but the amount for no service will remain ֏15M. This is necessary to encourage at least a month of service.

Our very approximate estimate is that over 500 recipients will take advantage of this bill in the first year.

Let's also not forget the mass amnesty of 2021. The parliament adopted a bill on amnesty to allow draft evaders to return to Armenia, not serve a single day, not pay a single dime, and to have all the criminal charges dropped. Over 1,300 people have since returned. Most of them left Armenia again. Had we adopted my new bill in 2021 instead of the amnesty, the state budget could have received tens of millions of dollars. This is why I support the idea of allowing a draft evader to pay a sum that's at least enough to hire one contractor.

REPORTER: Isn't this socially unfair because the rich can pay a sum to avoid service while the poor will be forced to serve?

MP: Our research and the official statistics show that over half of our citizens do not serve in the army [even the poor are finding ways to evade service]. They don't get arrested and they don't return to Armenia to serve. For many years, tens of thousands of evaders remained on the wanted list without being arrested and convicted. We either have to create the conditions for them to return now and bring some benefits, or we force them to wait until they turn 37 and return without paying or serving at all. If the government agrees to raise the maximum conscription age from 27 to 40, then the statute of limitations would end when an evader turns 50, thus further encouraging them to serve at least a month and pay a fine rather than wait.

REPORTER: Do you have any plans to allow citizens to pay a fee in advance to simply skip the army service?

MP: No.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7306VTx1GM)

Georgian port confirms the reception of French armored vehicles

France is selling dozens of Bastion armored vehicles to Armenia. The Georgian port "APM Terminals Poti" has confirmed the transaction. They said the content was not under any sanctions and there were no other legal restrictions by the Georgian government, so they processed the load.

... about Bastions

MEDIA: It's a multifunctional armored vehicle developed after learning lessons from the wars in Africa and the Middle East. It's highly mobile, can carry a lot, and can operate in extremely challenging conditions. Rocket or surveillance systems can be attached to the roof. Good for special operations. Protects against small arms and small bombs. It comes with built-in safety mechanisms that can extinguish fire and prevent an explosion in the event it's struck.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/756814/վրացական-կողմը-հաստատել-է-բաստիոն-ֆրանսիական-զրահամեքենաների-տարանցումը-հայաստան/) [source,](https://factor.am/710900.html) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx-natZGZ5U?t=29)

the U.S. will move its nuclear arsenal from Turkey to Armenia

Turkish protesters attacked the U.S. air base in Incirlik last week while demanding Washington to end its military support to Tel Aviv. As a precautionary measure, the U.S. has decided not to move its nuclear weapons to Armenia and the headline is fake news that you might have come across on social media yesterday.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx-natZGZ5U?t=138)

Azeris launch a disinformation campaign in an attempt to discredit France ahead of the 2024 Olympics

>France’s cyber defence unit has unveiled a disinformation campaign emanating from Azerbaijan that aimed to undermine Paris’ capacity to hold next year's Olympic Games

A Twitter user with links to Aliyev's ruling party launched a campaign in late July.

>at least one foreign actor close to Azerbaijan had acted, via the use of unauthentic processes, with the objective of harming at France's reputation

Azeris circulated photos of clashes between French protesters and police with a hashtag to boycott the Olympics.

The French agency tasked with monitoring disinformation had earlier identified a similar campaign launched by Russia.

[source,](https://www.reuters.com/sports/france-unveils-disinformation-campaign-linked-2024-olympics-government-report-2023-11-13/) [source,](https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/security-disarmament-and-non-proliferation/news/2023/article/statement-by-ms-catherine-colonna-foreign-digital-interference-france-s) [source,](https://factor.am/711140.html)

Hey Siri, where is Defense Minister Papikyan now?

In UAE, where he met Minister of State Al Bovardi to discuss the establishment of legal basis for deepening the cooperation. Armenia's High-Tech minister was also present. Papikyan will reportedly visit the [air show in Dubai](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfHoPO2TIOo).

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenian_and_uae_defense_ministers_discuss_development_of_defense_cooperation/)

confirmed: PM Pashinyan will skip yet another Russian-led summit

Lukashenko called Pashinyan to discuss the upcoming CSTO meeting in Minsk scheduled for November 23. Pashinyan said he won't be able to attend the meeting. "Thanks for understanding," he added.

Lukashenko threatened Pashinyan that he will end up like "some other leaders" if he decides to exit CSTO.

>[Lukashenko], ելնելով իր փորձից և նմանատիպ իրավիճակներում հայտնված մի քանի այլ հայտնի քաղաքական գործիչների գործողություններից, Հայաստանի վարչապետին հրավիրել է չշտապել, չընդունել հապճեպ որոշումներ, այլ լրջորեն մտածել այն հաջորդ քայլերը, որոնք կարող են ուղղված լինել դեինտեգրացիային

RUSSIA: We regret to hear that. We understand that leaders may have a busy schedule but these meetings are a good opportunity to clarify the relations between parties. //

The transcript of the conversation was leaked on Telegram:

LUKASHENKO: Are you coming?

PASHINYAN: Maybe.

LUKASHENKO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_IXzU-lnLU

[source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/161983) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/161990) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273576) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273576)

Azerbaijan criticizes the EU, calls it "biased"

EU's Borrell yesterday announced that the EU will downgrade its relations with Azerbaijan if there is an attempt to invade Armenia. The EU is also exploring the possibility of expanding defense cooperation with Armenia. The foreign ministry of Azerbaijan criticized the EU on Tuesday for the "pro-Armenian" stance.

[source,](https://factor.am/710918.html)

Armenia wants to develop relations with the UK through an AM-UK Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement

ARMENIA: The agreement would give AM and UK a solid legal foundation to further elevate relations. The opening of the new embassy building in London is a testimony to our enduring relations and readiness to deepen the cooperation.

UK: We would like to expand trade and security ties with Armenia by building closer cooperation and diversifying economic relations. We had a really positive discussion during the first UK-AM Strategic Dialogue meeting. There is considerable positive momentum and opportunity to strengthen and deepen our bilateral relationship.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/london_and_yerevan_aspire_to_sign_armenia_uk_comprehensive_and_enhanced_partnership_agreement/) [source,](https://factor.am/711111.html) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/uk_intends_to_diversify_trade_and_security_relations_with_armenia/)

the assembly of Christmas Tree begins in Yerevan's main square

[video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN3sNRFSLXU)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17vg8yy/update_draft_evaders_could_pay_a_fine_return_to/