2023 September 27

Daily news wrap-up

Ex-prez. of Nagorno-Karabakh was blocked from attending Western negotiations: interview // Armenia to officially downgrade ties w/CSTO: source // France to assign mil. attache // Hayk Marutyan joins pro-Russian ex-regime & Dog // Vardanyan arrested // Exodus continues
by ar_david_hh

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interview with ex-PM Aram Sargsyan || Nagorno-Karabakh ex-president Arayik had purchased tickets to attend Western-back negotiations; pro-Russia forces organized a coup

Context: Nagorno-Karabakh's opposition leader Samvel Babayan has so far revealed that, with the permission of President Arayik Harutyunyan, he was holding negotiations with Azerbaijan, and that Azerbaijan had agreed for Nagorno-Karabakh to have autonomy and its own national guard. According to Babayan, the pro-Russian former regime did not support this because they believed Russia could help them freeze the conflict so they could try to eventually gain *full* independence. To that end, the former regime removed Arayik from power, appointed their strongly pro-Russian man as president, and rejected Babayan's negotiations efforts that would have secured "merely" autonomy and guards. Babayan believes the former regime derailed the efforts under the orders of Russia. Babayan and Azerbaijan did not want to use Russia as a mediator.

ARAM SARGSYAN: Despite the ongoing forced exodus and the ethnic cleansing, this is not the end of Nagorno-Karabakh. Kosovo's Albanians had also left the region. There were 1.5 million of them. They eventually returned home. In 1999 the UN established 4 pillars (legal, security, democracy, economy) and established influence over the region.

Why didn't this happen in Nagorno-Karabakh? Because we had Russian peacekeepers instead of international, and no steps were taken to reach out to the UN's genocide prevention office despite my letters to Ruben Vardanyan and Arayik Harutyunyan [Nagorno-Karabakh leaders].

Arayik Harutyunyan had purchased tickets and was preparing to attend the Sophia negotiations hosted by the West. This was supported by Pashinyan who had "lowered the bar" and had been urging Nagorno-Karabakh representatives to accept being one level below an "equal party".

After the replacement of Arayik Harutyunyan [by pro-Russian forces], U.S. mediator Bono no longer organized a new meeting because they believed the new regime was only going to follow the Kremlin's orders. Russia did everything possible to derail the Western efforts, leading us to the war. They perhaps calculated that Armenia would get involved so Azerbaijan could forcefully take the "Zangezur corridor", to be controlled by Russia.

REPORTER: Why did the regime in Nagorno-Karabakh prefer depopulation over the Western platform?

ARAM SARGSYAN: Russia gave them reassurances that Nagorno-Karabakh would remain Armenian. This is why they held a maximalist stance until the end. I used to be friends with Arkadiy Ghukasyan and have spent many hours with Bako Sahakyan [the pro-Russian regime in Nagorno-Karabakh]. None of them obviously wanted this outcome. They were simply convinced that Russia wouldn't betray them so they appointed their ARF colleague.

REPORTER: Why did the regime trust Russia if Russia couldn't even open the Lachin corridor for 10 months or defend villages?

ARAM SARGSYAN: Those should have been enough to distrust Russia, but they joined Russia to criticize Armenia for everything. Every excuse was made to justify Russia's inaction. Who are the street protesters blaming today? Armenia, of course.

REPORTER: Why didn't Armenia intervene in Nagorno-Karabakh?

ARAM SARGSYAN: Synchronous work was necessary between the governments in Yerevan and Stepanakert. If the Nagorno-Karabakh government adopted a maximalist stance, did they first ensure that Armenia would intervene to help in the event their plan backfired? Was Armenia supposed to lose Syunik, too?

REPORTER: Will AM-AZ sign an agreement during the upcoming meeting hosted by the West?

ARAM SARGSYAN: They could sign an agreement recognizing borders under the 1991 agreement. This would address 70% of the issues. This would allow Armenia to develop its economy. The U.S. envoy brought an economic package with them. They are negotiating with the government to build semiconductors, memory chips, and capsular nuclear plants in Armenia. There is also a military element in the package. //

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYLHDZ0Km1k) [source,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16t0inm/samvel_babayan_azerbaijan_had_agreed_to_autonomy/) [source,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16ag0hi/nagornokarabakh_oppo_leader_samvel_babayan_says/) [source,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16csxuq/gen_samvel_babayans_interview_assassination/)

around half of the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh have been forced to flee to Armenia due to unlivable conditions created by Azerbaijan

54,000 refugees entered Armenia as of Wednesday afternoon. Around half of them have been registered while the other half chose not to because they went straight to their families already residing in Armenia.

The registered refugees will be given food stamps and eventually housing in nearby settlements in Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik.

The government urges the unregistered refugees to also contact authorities so they can receive other forms of assistance.

... exodus

Refugees: [PHOTO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRB9837Tr6w).

Abandoned streets and shops in Stepanakert: [PHOTOS.](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270146)

Satellite photo of the miles-long caravan of fleeing civilians: [PHOTOS](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270158).

It takes 2 days, instead of the usual several hours, to travel from Stepanakert to the Armenia border due to heavy traffic.

Nagorno-Karabakh authorities are urging residents NOT to burn down their houses and shops before leaving.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwttcACdaLg) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1plUa5WqXE) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qK51x3exTk) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNCn74WmIFE) [source,](https://factor.am/694165.html) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/160636) [source,](https://factor.am/694343.html) [source,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16to4zh/eu_commissioner_changes_public_statement_from/)

Azerbaijan has agreed to an international observer mission in Nagorno-Karabakh, we expect them to abide by that: says U.S. State Department while Azerbaijan insists there is "no need" to send observers

STATE DEPT: Aliyev has said there will be no further military action and that he would accept an international observer mission. We expect him to abide by that. Blinken spoke with Aliyev and underscored the urgency of no further hostilities and that there be unconditional protection and freedom of movement for civilians and unhindered humanitarian access.

REPORTER: Can you describe what the monitoring mission will look like? Have you been able to test the waters with both Yerevan and Baku?

STATE DEPT: The exact mechanism is something that remains in discussion with our partners so I don’t want to preview what it might look like before we finish those conversations.

AZERBAIJAN: We will allow the entry of an Azerbaijan-based UN Coordinator, but there is no need for a broader monitoring mission.

GERMANY: Nobody truly understands what's happening in Nagorno-Karabakh. Thousands of residents are afraid for their lives. They see the road to Armenia as the only solution. The numbers are growing.

We are working with our partners to send an international mission to Nagorno-Karabakh. If Azerbaijan allows it, it will show they are serious about ensuring the safety and well-being of the population. In Nagorno-Karabakh, there is currently a lack of almost everything necessary for a dignified life: food, medicine, and hygiene items. //

U.S. Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Kim and USAID chief Samantha Power have arrived in Azerbaijan to discuss a "stable and dignified peace" between Armenians and Azeris.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/u_s_expects_aliyev_to_abide_by_his_word_not_to_resume_hostilities_in_karabakh/) [source,](https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-september-26-2023/) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/160618) [source,](https://factor.am/693956.html) [source,](https://factor.am/694145.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270187) [source,](https://factor.am/694003.html)

The Guardian: Baku has drawn the ire of the EU and US after years of promoting itself as a reliable security partner and vital transport hub

>a senior western diplomat in Baku, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It will be trickier for us to continue as usual with Azerbaijan.”

...

>German foreign minister accused Baku of “breaking its repeated assurances to refrain from the use of force

...

>“Many in Brussels and Washington feel shocked and betrayed by Azerbaijan’s use of force,” said Thomas de Waal.

>western officials believe the inaction of the 2,000 Russian peacekeepers suggests that a side deal was reached between Moscow and Baku, who both blamed the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, and his pro-western pivot for the fighting.

...

>The Guardian previously revealed how Azerbaijan funnelled about $2.9bn (£2.2bn) out of the country via a network of secret British companies to pay supporters, lobbyists and politicians in Europe

>some observers say Europe’s reliance on Azerbaijani energy is heavily exaggerated by Baku. “Azerbaijan massively overstates their influence on gas, which is lazily picked up among European policymakers,”

[original English,](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/26/nagorno-karabakh-crisis-forces-western-rethink-on-azerbaijan) [Armenian,](https://factor.am/693978.html)

Armenia takes first official step to downgrade ties to Russia-led CSTO military bloc: source

According to Factor.am sources, Armenia will not appoint a new ambassador to CSTO. The ambassador was recalled last month. At the time many believed it was part of the ongoing diplomatic reshuffling process.

Despite the contractual obligations, CSTO refused to provide military assistance to Armenia when Azerbaijan invaded Armenia proper in 2021 and 2022. Yerevan also accused CSTO of refusing to acknowledge that Armenia proper was invaded.

Pashinyan has since refused to host CSTO exercises in Armenia, and refused to invite CSTO's border observers to Armenia: *"If you don't even acknowledge where the border is, what are you going to monitor?"*

In contrast, the EU has openly acknowledged and condemned the invasion of Armenia proper. Pashinyan subsequently invited EU observers to monitor the borders. Their mission was extended.

[source,](https://factor.am/694204.html) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia0xeLVX0YA?t=7)

France will appoint a military attaché in Yerevan and open a consulate in Syunik

PARIS: We are strengthening our defense cooperation with Armenia. //

Macron and Pashinyan held a phone conversation to discuss regional events.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/france_to_open_consulate_in_armenia_s_syunik_region_foreign_minister_/) [source,](https://factor.am/694369.html)

Pentagon called Azerbaijan to discuss the situation in the South Caucasus

They also spoke about bilateral relations and various security topics.

[source,](https://factor.am/693930.html)

Azerbaijan kidnaps Nagorno-Karabakh's ex-PM Ruben Vardanyan at a checkpoint; Margarita Simonyan falls into depression

Vardanyan was [attempting to enter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sGN0PPMbeY?t=67) Armenia by crossing the checkpoint illegally installed by Azerbaijan on the Lachin corridor several months ago. He was taken to Baku.

Armenia has contacted the European Court of Human Rights to request information from Azerbaijan and "to protect Vardanyan's rights".

RUSSIA: We can't bail him out because he is no longer a Russian citizen. //

MARGARITA SIMONYAN: It is terrifying to imagine what fate awaits Vardanyan in Azerbaijan. And Vardanyan, a world-class billionaire, an employer of George Clooney and others, did it all voluntarily. He left his comfortable life and Russian citizenship behind to help Karabakh. [After the war] everyone called and begged Vardanyan to return. They offered him assistance to return. But he preferred to remain where his people were. //

[video of the arrest,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sGN0PPMbeY?t=67) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/160626) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/160628) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/160635) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270166) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270173) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270191) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270217)

Azerbaijan publishes their official casualty toll after the military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh

Baku has confirmed 193 KIA and 512 WIA. Independent Azerbaijani sources earlier reported 200 deaths.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270148)

Armenia will fine landlords who hide rent income amid a boom in the rental market

Landlords will pay a penalty size of 5% of their proper value, but no more than $1,300, if they are caught hiding rent income, according to a new law that will most likely pass in the near future. Many landlords currently do not sign tenant contracts so they don't have to pay taxes.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/business/property_owners_will_be_fined_in_armenia_for_failure_to_report_to_tax_authorities/)

ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan has agreed to join the pro-Russian former regime and a party of fugitives to become Yerevan mayor and later remove Pashinyan from power

Marutyan will need 33 Council votes to become Yerevan mayor. For that, he needs the support of the former regime (Tevanyan) and a party of fugitives (Dog).

The pro-Russian former regime wants Marutyan to help them remove Pashinyan. Marutyan has agreed that Pashinyan's removal will be their next step. Not through the streets, but through elections.

The party of fugitives wants its members to be assigned to supervisory roles. Marutyan promises to assign them as long as they pass through the necessary competition process. He also promises to create a new monitoring commission and appoint Dog's people to lead it.

The council will hold a vote to elect a mayor in a few days.

[source,](https://factor.am/694293.html) [source,](https://factor.am/694290.html) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CozzaPA2Z-Q) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/160646)

IMF suspends $280M assistance programme to Georgia after its refusal to impose U.S. sanctions on former chief prosecutor

Georgia's central bank wants to "shield" the ex-Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze from sanctions imposed by the U.S. State Department.

>Partskhaladze [a dual RU-GE citizen], who is accused of involvement in Russia’s economy and facilitating Russian influence in Georgia, is known to have ties to Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s former prime minister

The central bank administration argues that a court order is necessary before it can impose the sanctions. Some bank officials resigned in protest.

[source,](https://oc-media.org/imf-suspends-financial-assistance-to-georgia/)

[Vladimir Putin](https://i.imgur.com/gtuckkc.png) gives himself a 5.5% raise

[Кто не работает, тот и ест.](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/270134)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16txl70/exprez_of_nagornokarabakh_was_blocked_from/