2023 November 20

Daily news wrap-up

What's new in history textbooks? // Track Yerevan buses on Google Maps // Indian weapons explained // Tourism: EU standards, fewer but richer, 20 clusters across Armenia // Indian weapons & migrants // RIP CSTO // Coco baron caught // Aliyev+Putin=Love
by ar_david_hh

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family of Azerbaijani president, some of whom are Russian citizens, own luxurious properties near Vladimir Putin's residence

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS: President Aliyev's children and grandchildren spend most of the year in Russia. They own properties 8 km away from Putin's residence in Novo-Ogaryovo [Moscow suburb].

Aliyev's son Heydar is the owner of a mansion in Rublyovka, a prestigious residential area in the western suburbs of Moscow, the home of many Russian regime figures and entertainment stars. He owns a 7,200 m^2 land plot with a separate 1,600 m^2 area for security guards.

Aliyev's daughter Leyla owns a nearby land size of 7,600 m^2.

Both properties are located near the elite Meyendorff Gardens, a cottage village that houses Russian billionaires and oligarchs. This is one of the most expensive residential real estate areas in Russia.

Heydar and Leyla don't like being bothered by the law. Heydar received a 300,000 ruble citation for not paying for utilities. Leyla failed to pay 15 traffic citations in one year alone.

Leyla travels in a Porsche Cayenne or a Brabus-looking cube, the two favorite vehicles of the inhabitants of Transcaucasia. More in the link.

Aliyev's wife Mehriban, who is also the vice president of Azerbaijan, is a citizen of Russia according to the Russian passport database. She became a Russian in 2006. Her history in Russia dates back to the 1990s when she became the owner of luxury properties in Moscow.

The Moscow apartment belonging to Aliyev's elder sister Sevil caught on fire in July 2022.

[full report,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Q3kfK0SDc?t=144) [investigative report,](https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/the-aliyevs-nest-the-family-of-azerbaijans-president-has-found-a-home-near-moscow)

Aliyev regime arrests an investigative journalist

Azerbaijani police have raided the Baku offices of independent news site AbzasMedia and detained its director who was on his way to the airport.

The regime claims it discovered €40,000 in cash in the outlet's office. The outlet says the cops planted the cash to frame them.

The outlet says they are being targeted because of their investigative work on corruption in Azerbaijan, Aliyev's family, and Aliyev's reconstruction efforts undertaken in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh since 2020.

[source,](https://oc-media.org/azerbaijani-police-raid-abzas-offices-and-detain-director/)

Armenia's North-South highway construction is underway on a 34 km section between Ashtarak and Talin

The crews removed part of a small hill to lay a straight path.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273866)

Crossroads of Peace: video explanation

The Armenian government and the West want to launch international communication routes passing through Armenia, controlled by Armenia. This is the proposed plan:

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eysnq8ImQak?t=5)

Iran wants the trade route to pass through Iran instead of Armenia

The U.S. State Department recently warned Azerbaijan not to build the east-west trade route via northern Iran. The U.S. prefers the route to pass through Armenia.

Today Iran responded, saying the U.S. should stay out of Azerbaijan-Iran relations and the developments in the Caucasus. Azerbaijan and Iran launched the construction efforts earlier this year.

[source,](https://factor.am/713032.html)

any road passing through Armenia must be controlled by Armenia: EU

TOIVO KLAAR: When the EU uses the term "corridor", we don't mean extraterritoriality. It's a broad term used for routes. Recently Ilham Aliyev clarified that he also doesn't mean extraterritoriality. In this particular case, Azerbaijan wants to have guarantees that its citizens and cargo passing through Armenia will be safe. This is logical and normal. But how it will be done is up to Armenian authorities. We share PM Pashinyan's vision of road and rail links. The regional communication links should reopen.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/757417/ցանկացած-ճանապարհ-որն-անցնում-է-հայաստանի-տարածքով-պետք-է-վերահսկվի-հայաստանի-կողմից-տոյվո-կլաար/)

Armenia asks the Russian-led CSTO military alliance to drop the fictitious "aid" plan for Armenia

Context: Azerbaijan invaded Armenia in 2021-2022. Armenia used the bilateral contracts to ask Russia and CSTO to provide military assistance and help remove the Azeri soldiers. No aid was provided. CSTO even refused to publicly acknowledge the invasion, calling it a "border dispute" despite Azeri forces being illegally positioned several kilometers within Armenian territories, well beyond the borders. Armenia "froze" its relations with CSTO and more recently gradually with Russia.

Armenia has asked CSTO to not even discuss any documents relating to assistance for Armenia during the November 23 CSTO meeting scheduled in Belarus. Earlier, PM Pashinyan said he won't attend that meeting. Lukashenko wasn't happy.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/757422/երևանը-հապկ-ին-խնդրել-է-օրակարգից-հանել-հայաստանին-օգնություն-տրամադրելու-փաստաթուղթը/)

Armenia and EU sign an agreement to provide certain protections and guarantees to EU's border observers

Unlike CSTO and Russia, the EU acknowledged and condemned Azerbaijan's invasion of Armenia. Armenia asked the EU to send border observers to help stabilize it. The mission has since expanded and more countries want to join.

On Monday Armenia and the EU signed an agreement to introduce legal clarifications about the various rights and obligations of mission members, provide them with health care, and address various technical issues. *"It is similar to the powers that diplomats have in other countries."*

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/757434/հայաստանում-եմ-առաքելության-կարգավիճակի-վերաբերյալ-համաձայնագիր-ստորագրվեց/)

Armenia receives a compliment from Zelensky's office

Ukrainian president's adviser Podolyak said Armenia has chosen the right direction by developing ties with the West. He hopes Armenia will contribute to the Baltic-Black Sea Defense Alliance. It's a security alliance to protect Europe's eastern borders. The idea was developed by Ukraine earlier this year. *"No country neighboring Russia can feel safe anymore."*

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273953)

Putin tells Pashinyan to stop pretending that Aliyev wants to invade Armenia

REPORTER: Pashinyan says Azerbaijan could invade Armenia because they repeatedly refer to Armenia as "Western Azerbaijan".

KREMLIN: We haven't heard such language from Azerbaijan at a state level. Aliyev administration is saying completely different things, they want to sign a peace agreement.

[source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/162180)

in a big u-turn, Russia arrests and plans to extradite a fugitive former official from Armenia accused of fraud and cocaine trafficking

Serj-era official Mihran Poghosyan (Panama Papers) is accused by Armenian authorities of fraud worth millions of dollars. His banana company is accused of attempting to import a $250 million cocaine container from Ecuador to Armenia through an Italian port.

Russia was previously resisting his extradition. Today they arrested Poghosyan in Moscow and informed the Armenian authorities about it. He will be extradited soon according to Russian press.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273971)

Armenia's ex-foreign minister Edward Nalbanyan is enjoying a subway ride in Russia: VIDEO

[sleepy Edo,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-peG54PTO8)

Indian press confirms the sale of 155 mm self-propelled howitzers to Armenia

Armenia will get Bharat Forge's MArG 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers. Indian press calls this a major milestone for India's domestic manufacturers, and describes the AM-IN relations as a "strategic partnership".

The artillery has a 155mm 39 caliber gun and a 4x4 wheeled chassis. All-terrain maneuvrability. Gradients up to 30^o. Shoot and scoot capability to avoid enemy fire.

The article doesn't mention a quantity but other sources have mentioned up to 90 units.

... about the howitzers

These are mobile vehicles with artillery attached to them, a shift from Armenia's old howitzers that must be towed by another vehicle.

Armenia is also buying 84 units of ATAGS howitzers from the same company. These are more powerful and have a longer reach, but they must be towed. 6 have been delivered so far. This $155 million contract will be fulfilled within 2-3 years.

... military expert Leonid Nersisyan about the MArG self-propelled howitzers

REPORTER (1in): Bharat Forge has confirmed the sale of these self-propelled howitzers to Armenia. We are also importing 150,000 grenades and millions of bullets. What can you tell us about this?

LEONID: MArG 155mm will improve the Armenian army's mobility. We have always had very few quantities of self-propelled artillery. Apparently, that's changing. MArG is very light and is designed for mountains. Its gun is shorter than the one on ATAGS.

MArG = 25 km, more mobile, mountains.

ATAGS = 45 km, heavier, towed.

The purchase of 150,000 units of 30 mm and 40 mm grenades is an interesting and very serious purchase. These are fired from guns, not thrown by hand. Armenia has used very little quantities in the past, almost non-existent. Some of them are for [AGS automatic grenade launchers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGS-17). This will greatly improve the Armenian infantry's potential.

REPORTER: What about the purchase of 5 million bullets for machine guns?

LEONID: 7.62 mm is for standard AKM automatic guns. We don't know many details, including about the quality. We will find out when it's delivered and used by the army. It should be similar to Soviet bullets.

REPORTER: What about the modern Pinaka missile launchers?

LEONID: It's a high-caliber missile launcher. All we know is that the modification purchased by Armenia has a maximum range of 40 km. *[Needs 3 minutes to prepare and launch and strike, and 2 minutes to escape the area after firing.]*

REPORTER: What about the Akash surface-to-air air defense systems?

LEONID: It's a good temporary solution against Bayraktar drones. In the next 1-2 years, India will begin to manufacture the "NG" (next generation) models of Akash. That's a more interesting option.

QUESTION: About geopolitics.

LEONID: Russia may still be a larger player than India in the defense sector, but the roles will reverse after 2030. India is growing very fast. We also have France as a partner. These are interesting partnership options.

[source,](https://factor.am/712803.html) [source,](https://idrw.org/armenia-to-get-indian-developed-marg-155-wheeled-self-propelled-howitzers/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epSarKelShU?t=5) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjHyZxGk4lw?t=9) [source,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/15g1km6/ministers_mysterious_trip_to_meghri_iskander_vs/)

Yerevan will install 400 wheelchair ramps in public places for disabled residents

MAYOR AVINYAN: Please ensure they meet international standards. Do not "improvise" and do not reinvent a bicycle. I want them to be like in developed cities around the world. //

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273937)

you will be able to track Yerevan's public buses on Google Maps, GG, and elsewhere

Hundreds of more GPS devices will be installed soon on buses when the tender is completed. All JongTong buses should become visible on maps next week. Others will be installed later.

The city has been negotiating with Google to bring bus tracking to Google Maps. Google has strict rules and requires the GPS installation process to be completed on all buses before the tracking can be tested and enabled on its maps.

The city is also working with domestic companies that develop maps. The city will impose strict standards to ensure these maps are glitch-free and are "synchronized" with other maps so users will see the same results regardless of which map they use. They are also negotiating with GG.

[source,](https://factor.am/712933.html)

Yerevan removes hundreds of crappy ad billboards installed illegally

414 billboards were demolished across Yerevan since last week. The most polluted district was Davtashen, followed by Kentron. The efforts continue.

Another 1,114 businesses have been notified about the need to comply with rules by January 1.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273958)

tourism stats & strategy

The number of tourists visiting Armenia has increased by 25% compared to 2019. It's expected to reach 2.4 million this year. The target is 2.5 million by 2026.

Each tourist spends $1,200 in Armenia, from which $110 enters the state budget. The government will calculate its impact on GDP by 1Q24.

The government is working on a project to increase the number of tourists from Japan.

The strategy is to attract fewer but richer tourists because they don't want tourism services in Armenia to be cheap and crappy. *"We want to be a good restaurant, not a bistro,"* said the economy minister Kerobyan. To reach this goal, the government has launched a project to develop 20 tourism clusters across Armenia by investing in roads, infrastructure, beautification of tourism sites, and new standards for tourism companies that protect tourists. For example, a tour agency could be required to have insurance so tourists won't lose their funds if the agency fails to deliver its obligations.

For similar reasons, the quality of hotels will be monitored by Armenia's Association of Hotels, which has become a member of the European family and will follow European standards. For example, if you advertise your hotel as 4-star, it must meet certain standards.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6e0qklpgLE) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j6C4CAM8TE)

government disputes a claim made by a workers' union chief about the number of Indian migrant workers in Armenia

A union chief claimed there are 60,000 Indian citizens living and working in Armenia and that their number will reach 250,000 within 2 years if the trend continues. A reporter from the H2 outlet was concerned that the number of Indians will surpass Armenians soon. The economy minister has clarified that the actual number is around 20,000-30,000, not 60,000.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRKhzQ3btC4?t=4)

Turkish authorities press new charges against the killer of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, days after court replaced the remaining part of his sentence with probation

17-year-old Ogün Samast killed Hrant Drink in 2007 and was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Last week he was released on probation after serving 17 years.

The authorities have decided to press new charges: acting on the behest of a terrorist organization. If convicted, Samast will serve up to 12 years in prison.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273681) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273939)

gg: Armenia's soccer team plays a 1-1 draw against Wales, is eliminated from Euro-2024 qualifiers

Dozens of Welsh fans were (inevitably) detained in Yerevan for breaking beer bottles on sidewalks and urinating in public.

16 Turkey (secured)

13 Croatia (has a chance)

11 Wales (has a chance if stays sober)

8 Armenia (eliminated)

3 Latvia (super eliminated)

Armenia will play against Croatia soon but the result won't have an impact on Armenia's chances.

[source,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2024_qualifying) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273957)

the Italian coach of Azerbaijani national soccer team insults Azeri journalists and trashes the Azeri team a week before his departure from Azerbaijan

Scandal in Azerbaijan after their team's 5-0 defeat by Belgium during Euro-2024 qualifiers.

The ethnic Italian coach attempted to explain the reasons behind the defeat during the post-game press conference: the team didn't have time to rest and they played with only 10 players.

When asked why he didn't allow a specific player to play, he reportedly became agitated and said it's his business how he runs the team.

He was then asked whether he would miss Azeri journalists after leaving the country. Short answer: no. Long answer: they are simply bored idiots incapable of doing anything so they ask idiotic questions.

The coach went on to compare the Azeri team with an outdated Fiat-500 vehicle and the Belgian team to Ferrari, adding that a team like this cannot defeat the opponent.

The already-agitated coach became furious after using the wrong door while attempting to leave the press conference. The dude basically blew up the bridge behind him. His term ends this month.

Azeri soccer officials issued an apology to the reporters and referred to the coach's conduct as unethical.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273987)

Armenian athletes win gold medal in European championships

Boxer Ruslan Aslikyan defeats an Azeri opponent with an afro to win gold in the U22 age category: [watch the fight.](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=237908415774662)

Boxer Elida Kocharyan is the U22 champion.

[video,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1535132103923912) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/273918) [source,](https://factor.am/712883.html)

it's snowing in higher altitudes of Yerevan: VIDEO

[video,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50a2vTUgbwc)

Armenia is updating textbooks for the first time in 15 years and people are pissed after learning new things about history

H1's Petros and TV regulator Tigran Hakobyan invited the expert tasked with drafting the content in the new textbooks.

TIGRAN: Let's understand what's behind the dissonance caused by the new history textbooks and how the stories we've read in school have shaped us. Unfortunately, often the stories we read were designed to provide comfort through deception. People can fall into depression when this pseudo-history clashes with reality. I'm under the impression this is what we're observing with the publishing of the new textbook.

PETROS: This is the first update in 15 years. History textbooks are the most controversial of the bunch. What exactly is history, though? Under the Soviet model, studying history meant robotically memorizing the dates of certain events and identifying certain figures as heroes while others as traitors. The entire scheme was based on dividing Armenian figures between heroes and traitors, while the outside world was divided between enemies and our Big Brother Russia. There was no room for analysis, everything was dumbed down to "patriotism". We've been taught to view history through this mythical lens. This is dangerous. How did our Big Brother end up arming our enemy and why was the Armenian public oblivious to the developments? Because the population has been taught that Big Brother is always right.

TIGRAN: Our textbooks were filled with propaganda to serve specific political leaders or elites. The backlash we're observing today is a lot like when we moved from Soviet textbooks that praised Lenin as a fantastic man to new textbooks that portrayed him as քխխխ. There is a cognitive dissonance in Armenia right now. People know nothing about the history of the First Republic and the wider context behind the 1915 Genocide. Sure, we were the victims and Ottomans were the murderers, but people usually stop there. Not many have read Leo's "The Ideology of the Turkish Armenian Revolution". I remember when Ashot Bleyan published the story in two small books, he was called a traitor because people didn't want to believe the mistakes made by Armenian political parties before the killings. History textbooks also taught us that Shushi was impeccable. So was the Moon until Americans landed on it. The medieval stereotypes did not help us at all. Today those who often consider themselves patriots refuse to accept the reality. We saw a similar resistance in the early 1990s when Armenia was being formed. One of the Communist newspapers fell into hysteria when the Lenin's statue was being removed. Our public always resists anything that's new. We have some circles who are very conservative and reactionary.

PETROS: That's because we chose heroisation over self-critique. That was our government's policy for many years. We were taught myths about the February Uprising.

A few words about how the textbook printing scheme worked for decades. Specific officials asked specific publishers to print books with specific content without real competition. It was a closed-cycle textbook mafia that prevented updates. The new textbooks are 40% cheaper, or 2x cheaper adjusted to inflation. We are talking about an industry with a budget worth millions of dollars. It was embezzled for decades. This is why ARF, the political mastermind of this scheme, is so rattled about the new textbooks. Let's invite Smbat Hovhannisyan [the author of the 7th grade history textbook].

AUTHOR: [discusses the Sasuntsi David epic and history, watch the link for details]

TIGRAN: Why do people get upset when you tell them historical truths? History and epics should be separated. Shouldn't a person *want* to know the accurate history?

AUTHOR: *[Details in the link. Cites presumably often overlooked information to explain how portraying Vardan as a hero and Vasak as a traitor is a mistake. The author talks about Vasak's strategy to restore the Armenian kingdom, highlights Vardan's vulnerabilities and that Vardan was seeking the same goal as Vasak, and asks the student to analyze the situation and whether Armenian statehood would be better off if Vardan and Vasak cooperated instead of fighting].* Vasak and Vardan had different programs. In the end, they both died and the Armenian people suffered.

PETROS: A historical map of our region depicted in the new textbook was criticized. What is it about?

AUTHOR: [Shows the Tigran Mets-era map. In order for the student to better visualize it, the map uses a different font to highlight modern-day countries with their modern borders. Some people were upset that the map mentions Azerbaijan. The author accuses critics of willful ignorance.] Also, it turns out some of the maps shown in textbooks were inaccurate. For example, research shows that Mets Hayq borders were presented inaccurately.

PETROS: What is behind ARF's campaign against you?

AUTHOR: It's perhaps for political reasons. Otherwise, the critics could have used the available platforms to provide constructive criticism to improve the book.

PETROS: The new textbook is not patriotic enough.

AUTHOR: This is also patriotism. It just doesn't have the usual unsubstantiated պաթոս and lies. What evidence do you have that the Parthian kingdom was part of Tigran Mets's empire?

PETROS: They accuse you of including an "anti-Armenian" thesis about the origins of Armenians.

AUTHOR: You probably mean the theory that Armenians originated from the Balkans. It's just a theory that exists. I don't get to decide which theory is correct and then promote that theory. I have to present various theories even if you don't like them. The textbook contains enough information to promote critical thinking on this subject. The textbook does not teach that Armenians came from the Balkans.

TIGRAN: Are the students smart enough to have critical thinking? Why not just serve a specific patriotic narrative? After all, we are the best nation in the world. (sarcasm)

AUTHOR: That's not how you develop patriotism. We are trying to switch from an information-centric textbook to an ability-centric. Students should be able to utilize their knowledge, and not just memorize a couple of dates and consider themselves knowledgeable.

We prioritize three things: knowledge, skill, and most importantly - stance. The student must analyze the information and develop a stance. This is what will prevent them from falling victim to manipulation tomorrow. Unlike the previous textbooks, in the new one we've included sources that the student should also read and analyze. This textbook itself is a source that should be discussed and critiqued.

TIGRAN: This conversation reminded me of diasporan poet Shahan Shahnour. He was so disappointed when he became an adult and learned that Jesus wasn't Armenian. This mentality that the world revolves around Armenia is hindering our development. Maybe the new textbook can fix this.

PETROS: And last but not least, they are criticizing you because the book pages are not strong enough. Did you intentionally bring a sturdy book for this interview? (joke)

AUTHOR: This is a strong book with easy-to-read fonts.

PETROS: What other stupidity did they throw at you?

AUTHOR: At the moment we are focused on constructive criticism because we are approaching the date to introduce certain corrections. The textbook is only going to get better.

TIGRAN: Should adults also read this textbook?

AUTHOR: It could be useful.

[full,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh75YUWZx1I?t=993)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/1801x5v/whats_new_in_history_textbooks_track_yerevan/