2023 September 8

Daily news wrap-up

U.S. adopts Armenians' position on Lachin and Agdam; Russia adopts Azerbaijan's \\\ How the perpetrators of Genocide attempted to "reconcile" with Armenia and asked for "favor" \\\ Debunked: Ukraine's white phosphorus; Macron in Armenia \\\ Russian media
by ar_david_hh

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Western media's favorite photo of the week

[favorite photo](https://i.imgur.com/yqvZWxr.png)

Flashback 1918: How Armenian diplomats negotiated with the organizers of the 1915 genocide and almost cut a deal to expand Armenia

It's June 1918. Armenia sent a delegation to Istanbul to try to amend the humiliating Treaty of Batum. This process was even more humiliating because they had to negotiate with the organizers of the Genocide: The Ottoman leaders Enver, Talât, and Cemal.

Ottomans had invited the 3 republics of Caucasus, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria to together discuss various issues including the conflicts between the Caucasus republics.

Armenia believed that Germany wanted to review the Batum Treaty according to the Brest-Litovsk provisions. Over the next 4 months, the Armenian delegation tried to gain the territories of Akhalkalak, Lori, Syunik, Karabakh, and Nakhijevan. It was a competition between the 3 republics.

Ottomans were against giving Syunik and Karabakh to Armenia because they wanted to maintain direct access to Azerbaijan through the south. Similarly, they were against giving Akhalkalak and Lori to Armenia because they wanted a road towards Gandzak [today Ganja, Azerbaijan] through the north.

The diplomats from Azerbaijan and Georgia wanted lands that were part of Armenia. Each party wanted the most. This led to diplomatic clashes.

After waiting for 4 months, the big conference did not take place because Ottomans and Germans got their butts kicked on the battlefield. There were instead individual meetings with the Ottoman and other officials.

Talât Pasha, one of the figures responsible for the genocide, lamented the "misfortune that had befallen the Armenians". He blamed the Kurds, local officials, and the military for the killings. The Armenian delegation swallowed the humiliation and thanked him for eventually agreeing to allow the formation of the Armenian Republic.

Armenian delegation requested a meeting with Talât concerning the September 1918 massacres of Armenians in Baku. They asked Talât to order the Turkish army not to attack Karabakh. Talât called Enver and informed him that Armenians were requesting Karabakh not to be attacked. Talât then told the Armenian delegation that there would be no attack. The Armenian delegation met Enver and received the same reassurance.

A month later, Enver invited the Armenian delegation to meet the Sultan. The delegation expressed hope that, from now on, independent Armenia and Turkey would be good neighbors. The Sultan was delighted that Armenians and Turks would finally have politically friendly relations. He sent greetings to the Armenian nation.

Enver invited the Armenian delegation to his house for dinner. The residence was covered in gold, silk, carpets, and all sorts of expensive junk. Also invited were delegations from Germany, Georgia, and Azerbaijan to discuss the Caucasian republics.

Armenia suggested splitting the Transcaucasus region as such: 38% to Armenia, 33% to Georgia, 29% to Azerbaijan. The other two republics rejected it.

The Armenian delegation spoke with Izzet Pasha, the Grand Vizier of the new cabinet, to discuss the withdrawal of the Ottoman army to the borders under the Brest-Litovsk. They accepted it. Moreover, they promised to help return all Armenian refugees and resolve their problems within 1 month. The Armenian delegation wanted to establish good relations with the Ottoman government to prevent negative intentions.

Enver informed Armenians that Turkey would champion Armenia's rights to Lori-Pambak, and that he was confident that a satisfactory arrangement could be worked out with Azerbaijan. It was even possible that the boundaries of Armenia might be extended to the shores of the Akhurian River.

After Talât returned from Berlin, he made even more promises to Armenia, realizing how vulnerable the Ottomans were due to defeats on the battlefields. At the end of September, Talât announced that his government would grant Armenia concessions even greater than those sought by the Armenian delegation.

Those were Talât's last official words. The Ottoman Empire capitulated to the Allies a few days later.

Rauf Bey, the Ottoman delegate tasked with signing a ceasefire with Britain, requested Armenia to send a delegate to the signing ceremony to show the British that the Ottomans and Armenians had reconciled. This is basically what happened next:

Armenia: You've been a hardass all this time, Rauf Bey. Can you tell me what our borders will look like after your defeat?

Rauf Bey: The 1914 borders, amended at the cost of the Alashkert valley.

Armenia: We reject your offer and we will not send a delegate. The Allies have won and our hopes rely on their victory now.

[original text](https://www.aniarc.am/2023/09/08/the-armenian-delegation-meet-enver-and-talat-1918/)

officials from Germany, U.S., and Russia spoke with colleagues from Armenia and Azerbaijan to reduce tensions on the AM-AZ border

Azerbaijan denied accumulating forces on the AM-AZ border for a military provocation despite video evidence showing large accumulations on borders with Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. According to Azerbaijan, it's part of a planned training exercise to prepare for the fall and winter months. Representatives of several countries spoke with AM and AZ to discuss the situation.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268479) [source,](https://factor.am/685421.html) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/749474/միրզոյանը-ամն-պետքարտուղարի-տեղակալի-հետ-քննարկել-է-իրավիճակը-լղ-ում/) [source,](https://factor.am/685428.html)

rallies are banned in Nagorno-Karabakh due to martial law

Gen. Samvel Babayan had planned to hold a major rally on Friday, ahead of the Saturday parliamentary vote to elect a new president. He wants the public to stop the appointment of a figure "who will make the crisis worse". He accused Russia of helping orchestrate the power change in Nagorno-Karabakh and not helping to resolve the conflict expediently. Some analysts are concerned that Arayik's resignation could further destabilize the internal situation and the NK-AZ borders. Details in [Thursday](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16csxuq/gen_samvel_babayans_interview_assassination/) report.

Nagorno-Karabakh Government: Rallies are banned under the ongoing martial law. The participants will face legal consequences. Avoid provocations. //

The parliament is split into two camps. The majority, backed by the former regime, wants to appoint a person nominated by the former regime. The second camp is Samvel Babayan, whose party is the second largest party in parliament but falls short of enough votes to elect Babayan.

Babayan's party was not allowed to nominate Babayan for president, raising the ire of Babayan supporters. That decision was later reversed.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268475) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/749519/սամվել-բաբայանին-արցախի-նախագահի-թեկնածու-առաջադրելու-դիմումը-հետ-է-վերադարձվել/)

U.S. wants Lachin and Agdam to open *simultaneously*

Yuri Kim, a deputy FM of the U.S., held a phone call with the FM of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov.

KIM: I held a constructive conversation with Azerbaijan’s FM on progress toward *immediately and simultaneously* opening Lachin and other routes to get humanitarian supplies into Nagorno-Karabakh. //

Russia wants Azerbaijan to gain access to the Agdam road first.

[source,](https://factor.am/685405.html)

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Zakharova vents about unfair criticism and "mud throwing" during an Armenian-Russian media forum held in Yerevan

ZAKHAROVA: We are brotherly nations with a long record of cooperation. Thanks to the personal efforts of President Vladimir Putin, the 2020 war was stopped and the Nov. 9 Statement was signed, becoming a strong basis for establishing peace and normalization of relations in the region.

Russia is Armenia's largest economic partner. We invest 40% of all capital investments amounting to $2.2 billion. We give steep discount on gas. Our railway company handles passenger and railway traffic in Armenia.

Starting in 2010, Russia has sent $70 million in humanitarian aid to Armenia via the UN.

Russian universities are educating 5,200 Armenian students, 1,800 of whom receive state subsidies from Russia.

Our border guards help protect Armenia's borders with Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan.

To preserve all this, it's necessary to maintain healthy AM-RU relations. It's on the shoulders of governments and mass media. It's necessary to highlight the positives and remember the heroic accomplishments of our nations in the past.

Unfortunately, there has been a trend in Armenian media lately to circulate negative and often false information about Russia. It's against the traditionally friendly relations. //

Maria Zakharova went on to justify Russia's inaction around the Nagorno-Karabakh blockade and the invasion of Armenia proper, and criticized Armenia's decision to ban the entry of certain Russian officials and media figures like Margo.

ZAKHAROVA: We were shocked to hear the news about the arrest of a Sputnik reporter [Russia's state media] and the blogger Mika Badalyan [pro-Russian activist from Armenia]. //

Why were the bloggers arrested and released? Seven people were arrested in Syunik yesterday, including blogger Mika Badalyan and a Sputnik employee. They are facing charges relating to the illegal acquisition, storage, and transfer of weapons. The authorities found Kalashnikov rifles, grenades, and marijuana during the raid. The investigation began on August 24th.

Blogger Mika Badalyan's wife (Russian) is accused of filming the location and movement of Armenian soldiers near a border town yesterday, despite numerous warnings by the army that doing so is a danger to security. The video was circulated by the Azerbaijani press.

ZAKHAROVA: The West does not want to protect Armenia, they just want to drive Russia out of Armenia. We are concerned about the rise of pro-Western media outlets in Armenia whose intention is to discredit Russia and AM-RU relations. There is a lot of mud-throwing instead of constructive criticism. The West promotes and finances these outlets through financial grants. //

DMITRI PISARENKO (Sputnik's Armenia branch): The Russian press should pay more attention to Armenia. There is a deficit of information that needs to be filled. The Russian TV channels need to cover more news about Armenia and present it to the audience based in Armenia.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylxg144eoaQ) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/159836) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268462) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/749462/սյունիքում-ձերբակալվել-է-7-անձ՝-ռազմամթերքի-շրջանառության-կասկածանքով․-քկ/) [more,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWq9jmXdiDs) [more,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA7P_eGvb_s) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268503)

Russia Summons Armenia Ambassador Over 'Unfriendly Steps

>Russia on Friday summoned the ambassador of Armenia over "unfriendly steps" as Yerevan announced drills with the US military, and after its increasing criticism of Moscow's role in the Nagorno-Karabakh standoff.

>Despite the summoning, the foreign ministry stressed that Russia and Armenia "remain allies and all agreements on developing the strengthening of the partnership will be fulfilled".

[source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/159864) [source,](https://www.barrons.com/news/russia-summons-armenia-ambassador-over-unfriendly-steps-bab11fa4)

Armenia and the U.S. will deepen cooperation in justice reforms

Armenia's Justice Ministry hosted the representatives of USAID and the head of Democracy International organization. They discussed the implementation of a 5-year reform plan to boost social and financial security and inclusivity in Armenia. It will focus on vulnerable groups and IDPs.

[source,](https://factor.am/685399.html)

interview with analyst Karen Sargsyan

REPORTER: Ukraine invited Pashinyan's wife Anna Hakobyan to [visit Kyiv](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRVKD_h7dl8?t=1) and take part in the forum. Why now?

KAREN: They have always invited, and they have always requested Armenia for humanitarian assistance, but Armenia rejected it in the past. The government no longer has the option to hide its disappointment in Russia. They have finally realized that not leaving the Russian camp and instead playing complementarism is not bringing any benefits.

The decision to donate thousands of tablets and phones to Ukraine was the right choice because Ukrainian kids have been forced to attend school remotely. This is better than sending medicine.

I knew about Hakobyan's planned trip since July. It was a long diplomatic process.

REPORTER: How did Ukraine respond to her participation?

KAREN: Wonderfully. They sat her next to Anthony Blinken, the main VIP guest. They don't assign the seats randomly. Hakobyan's visit was the main newsmaker in the Ukrainian press.

This is important because Azerbaijan has long been trying to portray Armenia as Russia's ally, and that only Azerbaijan was sending aid to Ukraine. Azerbaijan no longer has that card in its hand.

Azerbaijan was spending millions of dollars each month on anti-Armenian propaganda to deceive Ukraine. This week their efforts were met with a series of headlines: Armenia-US joint military exercises, Armenia recalls ambassador to CSTO, Anna Hakobyan delivers aid to Ukraine, Anna Hakobyan uses the word "war" and not "special operation", and the Armenian media sphere being flooded by anti-Russian rhetoric. This was a moral boost for Ukraine because they interpreted this as Russia getting weaker and losing its remaining friends. For them it's important that this is about Armenia and not another CSTO member.

REPORTER: That's what I've observed in the Ukrainian media as well. Anything about Armenia resonated far wider and faster. Why is *"tiny Armenia"* so important in this context?

KAREN: Armenia's self-worth was intentionally destroyed by the Russian empire, aided by pro-Russian forces like Levon Ter-Petrosyan and ARF. Armenia was an extremely important player for the UK and France because we were controlling the flow of Western capital in the regions east of Constantinople.

Ukraine doesn't view Armenia as tiny and unimportant. Armenians have played a significant role in Ukraine's history. Since the days of the foundation of their statehood, when there were small domains scattered around, Armenians made their contribution. There are Armenian churches in Ukraine dating back to the 13th century.

REPORTER: Who circulated the claim that Ukraine had supplied the white phosphorus weapons used by Azerbaijan during the 2020 war?

KAREN: The entire story is completely made up. No one has ever brought any evidence of any of that. There is also no evidence of chemical phosphorus being used during the 2020 war. If there is evidence of that, and Armenia hasn't bothered to send the evidence to the relevant international agencies, then someone must be tried for treason.

What we saw in videos during the 2020 war was Azerbaijan using the 120mm GRAD's 9m22s munitions. They contain thermite, not white phosphorus. It's used for burning down large areas. The thermite burns at 2,000 degrees and cannot be extinguished with water. It will burn through your skin and reach your bone, but it's not white phosphorus.

The claim that Ukraine sold white phosphorus to Azerbaijan was first made by Russian media figure WarGonzo or his colleagues. Today we all know he is just a propagandist.

That bastard Sarik Andreasyan [a very famous Russian movie director with Armenian origins] circulated WarGonzo's rumors. The news reached Ukraine's President Zelensky who personally responded to Sarik.

REPORTER: How did Zelensky respond?

KAREN: *Are you an idiot? We didn't sell white phosphorus.* In the meantime, Arsen Avakov [ethnic Armenian], who was the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine responsible for customs and transfers, also refuted the claim. If you remember, Avakov restrained several Ukrainian parliament MPs who made [presumably anti-Armenian comments] at the start of the war.

Ukraine has used everything in its arsenal against Russia so far. I'm sure they would have used white phosphorus if they possessed any.

White phosphorus is extremely dangerous and requires special attention. Only special chemically-trained troops can use them.

Anyone who claims Ukraine sold white phosphorus to Azerbaijan that was then used against Armenians is either 1) An idiot who fell for Russian propaganda, 2) A Russian agent tasked with damaging AM-UA relations.

REPORTER: Lately we've seen reports of the accumulation of troops on the NK-AZ border. Will Azerbaijan launch the full invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh?

KAREN: I don't think so. Doing that would mean the removal of Russian soldiers. I doubt Azerbaijan will want to lose Russia's friendship because they need it. As long as Aliyev is on good terms with his fellow totalitarian regimes, he will be OK at home. The moment Aliyev abandons his totalitarian friends, he becomes an easy target for the West.

The West is essentially saying that they aren't imposing sanctions on Aliyev because they don't won't him to join the Russian camp.

Attacking Armenia now would not be beneficial for Azerbaijan politically. It's also a risky military move because there is always a chance he could sustain territorial losses, too, especially now that Armenians on both sides are desperate to lift the blockade.

REPORTER: Will Russia leave the South Caucasus region, as stated by Pashinyan?

KAREN: Russia has already left. Russia reached an agreement with Azerbaijan in 2011, signed it in 2016, and implemented it in 2020. The process isn't over yet. They want to establish a corridor through Syunik.

REPORTER: Did Russia "sell" the Berdzor corridor as well?

KAREN: Obviously. Pashinyan revealed that Russia [pressured the Nagorno-Karabakh government to withdraw from Berdzor] without the prior knowledge of Armenia. Berdzor was sold by Russia. *[This was supposed to happen 2 years later but Russia and Azerbaijan forced the process to take place earlier]*

Historically, has Russia done anything good for Armenia? This year we mark the 245th anniversary of the 1st Armenian Genocide. The genocide of Crimean Armenians was perpetrated by Queen Yekaterina 2nd, her lover Potemkin, and scumbag Suvorov. There were over 40 churches and monasteries in Feodosia [Crimea], and they survived even the Ottoman Empire, but couldn't survive the Russian Empire. Why are there only 3 left, with 2 of them having been transferred to the Russian church?

What have the Bolsheviks done for Armenia? They were trying to conduct the first [nuclear](https://anca.org/first-atom-bomb-in-ussr-created-in-armenia-reads-cia-document/) experiment in the Hrazdan river gorge. They almost signed it. Anastas Mikoyan and a few others convinced them not to.

REPORTER: Alen Simonyan directly accused Russia of holding Nagorno-Karabakh residents hostage. *"The country that was supposed to defend us is the one maintaining the blockade."*

KAREN: That was the most important message that needs more media attention. Instead, we are flooded with videos of 8 Azeri tanks being driven in Nakhijevan. Have you seen the mountains in that direction? What are those 8 tanks going to do there? Why was that bigger news? The war of 2020 has not even ended.

REPORTER: It turns out that Russian citizens residing in Yerevan will be allowed to vote in the upcoming municipal elections. There are concerns Russia will "appoint" their person.

KAREN: The law allows citizens of any country, not just Russia, to participate in these elections as long as they've resided in Yerevan for 1+ year. We're talking about 11,000 people, presumably Russian. I don't know how the average Russian person would vote without speaking the language and understanding anything about our politics. Those who vote are probably agents carrying out orders.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duVok06_4Oo)

Armenia and UAE sign agreement on visa regime abolition

FM Ararat Mirzoyan was hosted by the president of UAE Mohammed Nahyan. They spoke about Nagorno-Karabakh and AM-UAE bilateral relations.

Armenia and the UAE have signed a visa-free travel agreement. The agreement is expected to boost tourism and business.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268468) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/tourism/armenia_and_uae_sign_agreement_on_visa_regime_abolition_/)

update: the original source of the false report about Macron's visit to Armenia was a French website

It was posted by "Opinion Internationale" and quickly removed. The outlet's director had also posted his link on Twitter, contributing to the spread of the false information.

Two days later, citing its internal "sources", a newly created website called Alpha News with alleged links to the Kremlin claimed that Macron was going to visit Armenia. It was picked up by pro-Russian outlets and media figures before reaching the media spheres in Azerbaijan and Russia.

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/749496/մակրոնի-այցի-կեղծ-լուրը-ինչպե՞ս-այն-ծագեց-և-տարածվեց/)

how much does food cost in Armenia today? (kg)

Pasta $1.20

Rice $1.75

Mixed nuts $8.45

Salami $1.90

Meat $8.75

Potatoes $0.30

Dairy (milk, cheese) $1.80

Sunflower oil $2

Mixed fruits $2.25

Eggs $0.15 (each)

Matnaqash bread $0.70

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1QKPHzJZc8)

soccer match between Armenia and Turkey: Euro-2024

First game: Armenia 1-2 Turkey

Today's rematch: >!Turkey 1-1 Armenia!<

Current standings: Turkey 10 pts, Croatia 7 pts, Armenia 7 pts, Wales 4 pts, Lavtia 0 pts.

Next game: Armenia-Croatia on September 11.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16dopj9/us_adopts_armenians_position_on_lachin_and_agdam/