NOVEMBER 21, 2020 MMirror-SpeirTHEror-SpeARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXXI, NO. 19, Issue 4661 $ 2.00 NEWS The First in the Since 1932 IN BRIEF Foreign Minister Assassination Mnatsakanyan Resigns – Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Attempt on Mnatsakanyan submitted his resignation on November 16, according to Foreign Ministry Pashinyan Spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan. Mnatsakanyan was foreign minister from May 2018. A career diplomat, Thwarted he worked himself up the ranks and previously held YEREVAN (TASS) — Armenian National many important positions in Security Service prevented an attempt to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, including ambassador assassinate Prime Minister Nikol to the and deputy foreign minister. Pashinyan, the agency said in a statement The turmoil in the Armenian government and soci- on Saturday, November 14. ety continues due to the disastrous war. “The National Security Service of the of has revealed cases of Echmiadzin Decries illegal acquisition and storage of weapons, ammunition and explosives by a group of Desecration of persons with the aim of seizing power in the Republic of Armenia,” the statement by killing the . Special Investigation Service of Armenia Ghazanchetsots says. It is clarified that the attackers, who The statement clarifies the information decided to put ten opposition politicians Cathedral did not agree with the domestic and foreign that the weapons were transported to under preliminary arrest, including policy of the state, intended to seize power Armenia from Karabakh, where military Vanetsyan, the leader of the Prosperous ECHMIADZIN — The Mother See of Holy operations have been going on since Armenia party and the rep- Echmiadzin (Armenian Church) issued a statement 27. Due to this, on the basis of resentative of the Dashnaktsutyun party on November 14, strongly condemning the vandal- direct suspicions of committing a crime, the Ishkhan Saghatelyan on charges of organiz- ism of Holy Savior Cathedral of Ghazanchetsots in Putin: Status of former head of the National Security Service ing an illegal meeting. On November 13 they Shushi, Artsakh, by . of the country, head of the Rodina party were all released from custody. “We learned with sorrow that following the joint Karabakh Is Artur Vanetsyan, former MP Vahram (See related stories inside.) declaration on ceasefire signed between the Baghdasaryan and two other Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani leaders overnight people were detained. November 10, the Azerbaijanis who entered Not Resolved Earlier on Saturday, Artsakh's Shushi city vandalized Holy Savior Vanetsyan's lawyer Lusine Pashinyan Under Fire Over Cathedral of Ghazanchetsots, leaving their traces on MOSCOW (Combined Sources) — Sahakyan wrote on her the external and internal walls of the Cathedral. The status of Nagorno Karabakh will page that he had ‘Inflammatory’ Appeal “We strongly condemn the incident, assessing it be determined in the future, Russian been detained. “Today YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Prime Minister Nikol as an overt act of vandalism and intolerance. President said on Artur Vanetsyan was invited Pashinyan has provoked a storm of criticism and should not be allowed to continue its Tuesday, November 17, in an inter- to the Investigative defections from his political alliance with what policy of cultural genocide with Turkish support, view with TV. Department of the National critics see as a call for a violent response to oppo- Putin said he believes that the “end Security Service and sition groups demanding his resignation. of war” agreement on Karabakh detained. The authorities In a Facebook post early in the hours of between Russia, Armenia, and charged him based on false Monday, November 16, Pashinyan praised Azerbaijan provides an opportunity suspicions of usurping Armenian soldiers remaining on the Nagorno- to resolve the situation in the future. power and preparing the Karabakh frontlines and voicing vocal support for “The most important thing that has murder of Nikol see APPEAL, page 3 see PUTIN, page 2 Pashinyan,” she wrote. On November 12, the

US Secretary of State which for decades has been carried out in Pompeo Discusses Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. Karabakh with French “At the same time we call on the international FM Le Drian community and the inter-religious and inter-church organizations to voice about that and take appro- — At a November 16 US priate steps to stop such barbaric acts by State Department press briefing in Azerbaijani authorities in Artsakh against religious- Istanbul, a State Department official cultural monuments and demonstrations of anti- reported on what was discussed concern- Armenian moods,” reads the statement. ing Nagorno Karabakh between French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo earlier that day in Paris. At the same press INSIDE conference, it was announced that a “scheduling issue” prevented Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from US Secretary of State Pompeo and his delegation meet with French Foreign Minister Le meeting with Pompeo during the latter’s Helping Our Drian and his officials at the Elysee Palace in Paris (photo from Secretary Pompeo's Twitter) visit to Istanbul, where he did meet with see POMPEO, page 6 Heroes Let Us Prudently Evaluate the Blow to Artsakh and Armenia Page 8 The peace agreement signed on November 10 by in ending the war. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia places Artsakh and b) Requests an end to the panic and confusion, INDEX Armenia in a critical situation which must be faced because this obstructs the possibility of adopting a Armenia ...... 2-5 with vigilance and wisdom. prudent policy. Arts and Living ...... 13 The Supreme Council of the Armenian Democratic (c) Deplores the absence of OSCE Minsk Group co- Community News...... 8 Liberal Party: chairs United States and in the process of for- Editorial ...... 15 a) Welcomes a temporary ceasefire to avoid further mulating the terms of this ceasefire agreement. We con- International ...... 6-7 casualties. The Armenian people express their gratitude to sider the involvement of these countries indispensable. Russia for its military assistance during this war and for its role see PRUDENCE, page 5 2 S ATURDAY N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia

President Proposes Snap Elections and Government Of National Accord YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — President Armen Sargsyan stated on November 16 that the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary forces, repre- sentatives of the Diaspora, who came to him for con- sultations, want the resignation or termination of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Constitution, and early parliamentary elections . According to him, it is obvious that early elections to the National Assembly will be inevitable in order to keep the country from experiencing detrimental effects. “In this context, I think the only responsible approach may be the government and the ruling political force potential objective assessment and roadmap to represent them within the appropriate initiation timing constitutional processes will be designed, which will allow to carry out snap elections Refugees returning from Yerevan to to the National Assembly, and before “That govern- ment will be handed over to a highly qualified National Accord government,” he said, adding that the decision was in the national interest. Russian Forces in Hundreds More Refugees Karabakh YEREVAN (News.am) — Russian military transport Return to Artsakh planes have conducted 22 flights in one day from Ulyanovsk Vostochny Airport to Armenia, transferring 64 vehicles and special equipment—including armored YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Hundreds tainous district until November 25. “line of contact” in and around personnel carriers, off-road trucks, cistern vehicles, more ethnic Armenian refugees have An RFE/RL correspondent wit- Karabakh. The Russian Defense excavators, and other logistics equipment, reported the returned to Nagorno-Karabakh nearly nessed on Monday numerous cars, Ministry said on Monday that they Russian Defense Ministry's press service. one week after a Russian-brokered buses and trucks moving along the have started clearing the road from After the unloading, respective convoys will be ceasefire agreement stopped the Kelbajar road. They transported landmines and wreckage of military formed to cross into Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)], Armenian-Azerbaijani war. refugees and their possessions back to hardware destroyed during the fight- and military helicopters will protect—from the air— According to the Russian Defense Karabakh. ing. the route of this convoy, the Ministry added. Ministry, on Sunday, November 15, There were also signs of a return to “The road is being prepared for the alone, 475 of them arrived in normality in Stepanakert and other return of the refugees,” said Colonel Fans bid Final Farewell to Stepanakert from Yerevan in a convoy Karabakh towns and villages severely Alexei Polyukhovich, the deputy com- of 19 buses escorted by Russian peace- damaged by Azerbaijani air strikes and mander of the Russian peacekeeping Actor Armen keeping forces deployed in the shelling. The streets of Stepanakert contingent. Karabakh conflict zone in line with were visibly filled with more people Armenian Prime Minster Nikol Dzhigarkhanyan the agreement. than during the six-week war. Pashinyan predicted, meanwhile, that Like other refuges, they were bused After Kelbajar’s handover to the road will likely be YEREVAN The funeral service of prominent through one of the two main highways Azerbaijan the other highway passing reopened to traffic “in the coming Armenian-Russian actor Armen Dzhigarkhanyan connecting Armenia to Karabakh. It through the will days.” Pashinyan also said that more took place on Tuesday, November 17, at the State passes through the Kelbajar district become Karabakh’s sole overland link than a thousand Karabakh refugees Drama Theatre of Moscow. The farewell ceremony that has been Karabakh Armenian with Armenia. Its sections close to the have returned home in the last sever- was open to public. The actor will be buried in control since 1993. Karabakh town of Shushi () al days. Moscow Vagankovo Cemetery. Dzhigarkhanyan died Under the truce accord announced were the scene of fierce fighting According to authorities in aged 85 on November 14. on November 10, Kelbajar was due to between Armenian and Azerbaijani Stepanakert, the war displaced at least To note, USSR People’s Artist, theater and film be placed back under Azerbaijani con- forces in the final days of the war. 90,000 Karabakh Armenian civilians actor, director and theater teacher Armen trol by Monday. said at the week- The Russian peacekeepers are being making up around 60 percent of the Dzhigarkhanyan was born in Yerevan on October 3, end that it has agreed to delay deployed along the territory’s population. Most of them 1935. The prominent actor starred in more than 200 Armenian withdrawal from the moun- and the current Armenian-Azerbaijani took refuge in Armenia. films. On March 12, 1996, the Moscow Drama Theater directed by Armen Dzhigarkhanyan was set up at the actor department of the Russian State University of Cinematography (VGiK) where he taught. Putin: Status of Karabakh Is Not Resolved

Green Future Leader, PUTIN, from page 1 the Collective Security Treaty about the possibility of 's partici- Others Arrested Outside been accomplished is the cessation of Organization (CSTO) intervention in pation in peacekeeping efforts. Anyway, bloodshed,” he said. the war, Putin explained that Armenia's I think that we have been able to per- Ministry Putin noted that on October 19-20, territory was not attacked. suade our Turkish partners and our col- an agreement was reached to end the “Under international law, Karabakh leagues in Azerbaijan that conditions YEREVAN (News.am) — Vahagn Varagyan, the fighting in Karabakh, but it was not suc- has always been an integral part of that can thwart our agreements should leader of the Green Future environmental move- cessful. Azerbaijan. The CSTO could not inter- not be created, conditions that can push ment, and several others were apprehended on He said that in October he persuaded vene; no one attacked Armenia,” he one of the parties of the agreement to November 17 by the police, outside the Ministry of Azerbaijan's President to said. some extreme methods and extreme Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia. stop hostilities on the condition of the “As for Turkey and its role, this is well actions,” Putin said, clarifying that he Varagyan had written on Facebook Monday that return of Azerbaijani refugees to known, it has been talked about many means the very heavy legacy of the past they were going to the Ministry the next day, and Shushi, but to Putin's surprise, times in Azerbaijan. The Turkish side years and the tragic and bloody inci- Minister must answer the ques- Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol has never hidden it. They have unilater- dents and the genocide that took place tion as to whether he is in favor of the “treacherous” Pashinyan didn't agree and decided to ally supported Azerbaijan,” Putin said. during the years of the . statement signed by Prime Minister continue the war. Touching on the internal political sit- “It's a factor that can be recognized — and with respect to ending the hostilities in and According to Putin, the situation on uation in Armenia, the Russian or not recognized. Someone recognizes around Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). the ground in Karabakh was at a critical President expressed that it is necessary it, someone does not recognize it. But Varagyan announced at the time of his apprehension point before the cessation of hostilities, to unite the country, not to divide it. At there are no issues for Russia here. We that they were not carrying out a rally, he had not orga- the situation was changing each hour, the same time, he insisted that the accu- recognized it long ago. So why to pro- nized anything like that, and he had just come to ask a and it was impossible to negotiate with- sations against the Prime Minister of voke Armenia with the presence of question to the minister. But police said that he was in the Organization for Security and Armenia Nikol Pashinyan were baseless. Turkish soldiers on the contact line? I being apprehended for carrying out a rally. Cooperation in (OSCE) Minsk “There are no grounds for accusa- think President Erdogan also admitted Police said through a loudspeaker that rallies are Group because of a lack of time. tions of treason against [Pashinyan],” this and understood. We encountered prohibited during the current martial law in The Russian president says that Putin said. no problems here,” the . Armenia's refusal of the current agree- He also spoke about being able to President said. ment on Karabakh would have been sui- convince Turkey not to send peacekeep- cide for the country. ing forces. (Civilnet and Armenpress contributed Speaking about lack of Russia's and “Azerbaijan and Turkey always talked to this report.) S ATURDAY N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Anger, Frustration Spill Out onto Yerevan’s Streets in Demonstrations, Riots

front entryways were significantly damaged by er, denouncing each other as By Mateos Hayes rioting. In the wake of an upswell in outrage instigators, arguing for or Special to the Mirror-Spectator and fury, Armenia’s opposition parties have against Pashinyan’s decision, taken this opportunity to launch an all-out and for or against alliance with offensive against Pashinyan’s government. Russia. In one such incident, a YEREVAN — It was around 1:00 a.m. on Parliament middle-aged man declared loud- November 11 that the people of Armenia were Since morning scores of demonstrators have ly his belief in the benefits of made aware of a shocking development: Prime congregated on the grounds of the parliament. siding with Russia, only for an Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed to a Moscow- Despite a heavy police presence and the gener- elderly man to retort, “You fool! brokered truce effectively surrendering the ally agitated nature of the crowds, the demon- Russia has sold us out! Why do bulk of the provinces that once made up the strators have been largely non-violent, limiting you speak such nonsense!?”, . themselves to animated arguments with fellow before storming off. Though the war’s prognosis had grown demonstrators, and the occasional shoving. In the wake of its vandaliza- increasingly bleak on the Armenian side, this Opposition parties such as Prosperous tion, the House of Government development nevertheless came as a great Armenia took this opportunity to address the has now been surrounded by an shock to many . In the days leading crowds from the steps of the parliament build- army of police in riot gear, who up to Armenia’s surrender, the atmosphere of ing. Armenia’s political spectrum encompasses have cordoned off the building confidence in Yerevan was hard to miss. Large around 17 opposition parties all of which called whilst workmen began to repair billboards and digital signs proudly bore patri- in a joint statement for rallies to be held in the smashed glass at its front otic slogans (“We will win!”, “I continue work- Yerevan’s center to protest the truce. The oppo- entrance. Scores of demonstra- tors jeered at the officers as they passed by, with some stop- ping to deliver long speeches denouncing Pashinyan’s govern- ment and the truce. WEDNESDAY Opera Demonstrations continued into November the 11th, as pick- eters gathered in major centers in downtown Yerevan, including at the Opera and Republic Square. It appeared a significant increase over the attendance A clergyman from Etchmiadzin delivers a fiery speech against reported yesterday, with several Pashinyan’s government and the ceasefire agreement hundred demonstrators grouped in these areas. Police in riot gear stand guard at the House of Government at Republic Square as workmen begin to Parliament’s gates have been closed, and no opposed to the ceasefire agreement, particular- repair doorways damaged during rioting one has attempted to enter its grounds. ly to its stipulation that Armenia must cede five The areas where protestors have congregated of the seven provinces that encompass the ing so we may win”), and scores of people on sition parties have presented an outwardly unit- have been the focus of a heavy police response, Republic of Artsakh: “We must renegotiate this the home front, ranging from Artsakh refugees ed front, calling for Armenia’s agreement to the with police vehicles and officers surrounding and the people of Armenia must be consulted to Yerevan locals, expressed confidence that the truce to be rescinded, and for the Pashinyan the opera and Republic Square, causing signifi- this time. We cannot have this decision made by Armenians could still snatch victory from the government’s resignation. cant traffic jams along Yerevan’s avenues. just one person in our name. We are all jaws of defeat. Republic Square At the opera, large numbers of protestors Varchapet so we must all be involved in this In the immediate aftermath of this morale- The iconic center of downtown Yerevan has gathered along the steps of the opera building decision [meaning prime minister, referring to shattering announcement, scores of protestors been abuzz with demonstrations for the past as police attempted to gradually push them Nikol Pashinyan].” stormed government buildings in the early two days. Various groups of people have con- This sentiment has been reflected in the hours of Tuesday morning, with some even gregated in front of the Armenian History rhetoric of oppositionists in recent days. Most managing to steal private property from Museum, setting up makeshift dioramas com- notably, a priest from the Echmiadzin diocese Pashinyan’s own residence. memorating those lost in the war, and carrying chose the front of the House of Government as Armenia’s House of Government, located on signs and flags. his spot from which to deliver a fiery speech Republic Square, was heavily vandalized and its Demonstrators were clearly disunited howev- which had a similar message. Wearing an armored vest over his cassock and flanked by two flag bearers, the clergyman shouted angri- ly into his microphone, declaring that the loss Pashinyan Under Fire Over ‘Inflammatory’ Appeal of Shushi was “shameful” and branding Pashinyan “our traitorous Prime Minister.” APPEAL, from page 1 The priest characterized the truce as “sur- his administration amid opposition protests in Yerevan sparked by the outcome of the war rendering the lands of Artsakh to Satan.” He with Azerbaijan. also engaged in a homophobic rant, reminding “Guys, you are right. I am waiting for you in Yerevan,” he wrote, calling on them to help the animated crowd: “Sodom and Gomora exist- him “sort out” his “whimpering” detractors. ed thousands of years ago, before god effaced Opposition and public figures were quick to condemn the statement. Armenia’s human them from the earth for their sins!”, adding “I rights ombudsman, Arman Tatoyan, added his voice to the condemnations on Monday. cannot believe that we now have sodomites and Tatoyan noted that in recent days pro-Pashinyan combatants, most of them mobilized army homosexuals amongst the Armenian people! reservists and volunteers, have circulated video messages containing death threats and hate A bra hangs from a tree along with a sign with This is unconscionable!” an emasculating message on it directed towards speech against the prime minister’s political opponents. Pashinyan effectively endorsed those Yerevan Remains Calm Nikol Pashinyan threats with his Facebook statement, he said. Despite the widespread demonstrations in The statement also prompted three pro-government members of the Armenian parliament downtown Yerevan, the general normalcy of to announce overnight that they will leave Pashinyan’s . away from the building. The situation, while everyday life remains one of the most striking “Our political team is making one mistake after another,” one of the lawmakers, Taguhi chaotic, was mostly contained as officers were aspects of this difficult period in Armenian his- Tovmasyan, wrote on Facebook. “Instead of admitting and correcting our mistakes, mitigat- able to outnumber and overpower the demon- tory. ing the situation through dialogue and thereby trying to ease tensions in our country, we are strators, who attempted to push back. Outside of the areas where police and pro- taking steps undermining foundations of the state.” Onlookers jeered at the police, calling them testors clash, the rhythm of city life continues. Pashinyan’s controversial appeal also led to the resignation of Varag Siseryan, the top aide ‘Turks’ whilst others tried to compel the police Many residents have continued to go to work to Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinian. Siseryan said he has also decided to terminate his to ‘change sides’ with bottles of water and and go about their daily lives, and across the membership in the ruling party, the dominant component of My Step. chants. street from troubled spots such as the Opera, Pashinyan responded by accusing critics of misinterpreting his statement. Speaking at a Chants of “Nikol, traitor!” rung out at regular locals sip coffee while lounging in outdoor news conference held on Monday morning, he insisted that he did not advocate any violent intervals as the crowd remained steadfastly defi- cafes. acts and simply wanted to show his appreciation to the soldiers staunchly supporting his ant. Additionally, demonstrators were generally In much of the city, the only signs of this dif- administration. unwilling to give interviews to members of the ficult period are the occasional blare of ambu- Pashinyan said he plans to meet those servicemen in Yerevan in an effort to end opposi- press. lance sirens, the distant roar of fighter jets, and tion allegations that his decision to accept a Russian-mediated ceasefire agreement with When asked why he had chosen to come, the increased number of uniformed officers Azerbaijan amounted to high treason. “I must also say that nobody returning from the front- Mudik Baseryan a middle aged man, and one of patrolling the streets. lines with weapons,” he added in that regard. the few demonstrators willing to speak openly, For now, Yerevan – much like the rest of the The premier went on to accuse the Armenian opposition and Tatoyan of not condemning explained that he had come to understand what country – remains in a precarious state of limbo violent mobs that ransacked government buildings in Yerevan and severely beat up parlia- the reality of the situation is: “there is so much as the incumbent administration attempts to ment speaker immediately after the announcement of the ceasefire agree- misinformation, and I just want to know what weather the storm of public outrage. ment early on November 10. the truth is.” As with most of the attendees at (This article is accompanied by three videos the demonstration, Mudik was steadfastly on www.mirrorspectator.com.) 4 S ATURDAY N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA Left Behind? Churches, Due For Handover To Azerbaijan By Amos Chapple

Several historic churches and Christian monuments are in territory either captured or due to return to Azerbaijani control in a controversial new cease-fire agreement that ended the recent con- flict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Chapple is a -born photographer and researcher with an interest in the former . This photo spread was originally published on the RFE/RL website.

Armenian script towers over the door at an entrance to the Yeritsmankants . The partially ruined monastery was built in 1691

A detail of a carved stone cross (visible just right of center in the previous photo) near the entrance to Gtichavank. The monastery was completed in 1248

Ghazanchetsots, which is considered to be the cathedral of Shushi/Susa. The photo was taken in The interior of Ghazanchetsots after it was damaged by Azerbaijani artillery in October. The cathe- 2008 during a mass wedding ceremony. dral was completed in 1887.

Visitors pray inside the Kataro monastery, which was completed in the 17th century

sarcophagus inside the monastery that is said to hold the remains of St. , the grandson of the man who converted Armenia’s king to Christianity in A.D. 301. The is The Yeritsmankants monastery in the forested , a monastery in the Shahumian region near Nagorno-Karabakh believed to have been founded in the 4th century. region

The Amaras monastery, a heavily fortified complex near Sos village Details of a stone carving and Armenian script in the Khojavend district inside Dadivank. The monastery was completed in Gtichavank, a monastery in the region the 13th century.

Kanach Zham, a church in Shushi/Susa, the strategically vital The Tsitsernavank monastery, on an isolated mountainside of Katarovank, a monastery on a mountaintop in the Hadrut region town recently captured by Azerbaijani forces. Kashatagh Province S ATURDAY N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 ARMENIA

Armenian Opposition Leader Freed Despite Coup Charges

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Artur Vanetsyan, a former is the commander of a volunteer from the southeast- National Security Service (NSS) director leading an opposi- ern town of that took part in the six-week war. The tion party, was released from custody late on Sunday despite NSS claimed on Saturday to have found large quantities of being charged with plotting to assassinate Prime Minister weapons in a property belonging to him. Nikol Pashinyan and overthrow Armenia’s government. On Sunday the security service publicized what it The NSS arrested Vanetsyan and three other opposition described as audio of Minasian’s wiretapped phone conver- members on Saturday. It formally brought the same coup sations with two other suspects, Vahram Baghdasarian and and murder charges against three of the suspects on Ashot Avagian, during which they blamed Pashinyan for the Sunday just hours after Yerevan courts opened hearings unsuccessful war and seemingly discussed ways of assassi- on appeals against their preliminary detention filed by nating him and seizing power. their lawyers. The latter rejected the accusation as politi- Baghdasarian is a senior member of former President cally motivated. Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party while Avagian is affiliat- One of the court judges agreed to declare Vanetsyan’s ed with the Armenian Federation detention unjustified and order his release. Another judge is (Dashnaktsutyun). expected to rule on Monday on the former NSS chief’s pre- One of Vanetsyan’s lawyers, Lusine Sahakyan, insisted that trial arrest sought by investigators. the recordings do not prove her client’s involvement in the Vanetsyan’s Hayrenik (Fatherland) party is one of 17 Former National Security Service Director Artur Vanetsian alleged conspiracy. Speaking before his release, Sahakyan Armenian opposition groups that launched on November 10 addresses opposition protesters in Yerevan, November 11, said the NSS has failed to substantiate its accusations street protests against the terms of a Russian-mediated cease- 2020. against Vanetsyan with any other evidence. fire agreement that stopped the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in Vanetsyan, 40, was appointed as head of the NSS immedi- Nagorno-Karabakh. They accuse Pashinyan of capitulating to ately after the 2018 “Velvet Revolution” that brought Azerbaijan and demand his resignation. The prime minister outbreak of the war on September 27. The opposition forces Pashinyan to power. He resigned in September 2019 after has dismissed the accusations. have pledged to continue their demonstrations in Yerevan, falling out with Pashinyan. He has since repeatedly accused The Armenian authorities say that the opposition protests however. Pashinyan of incompetence and misrule, prompting angry are illegal, citing martial law declared by them following the One of the arrested and indicted suspects, Ashot Minasian, responses from the premier and his political allies.

Political Tension and Threats of U.K. House of Lords member Baroness Violence Increase in Armenia, Officials Resign from Posts Caroline Cox visits Artsakh

YEREVAN — While protesting continued in the streets of YEREVAN (ARKA) — Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) human The Baroness emphasized that she supports the just struggle Yerevan over the last few days concerning the terms of the rights defender Artak Beglaryan met on November 14 with a of the people of Artsakh for their rights and freedoms, and the Karabakh ceasefire, four leaders of an alleged plot to assassi- delegation led by a member of the House of international community should pay due attention to their nate Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan were arrested on Lords Baroness Caroline Cox, who have arrived in Artsakh needs and problems. November 14. However, the next day at least one of them, together with Armenian human rights defender Arman Beglaryan also spoke about the humanitarian catastrophe Artur Vanetsyan, was released. Later the same day, a Facebook Tatoyan. in Artsakh and indicated directions for international assis- statement by Pashinyan led to the resignation of several mem- Beglaryan presented the results of the fact-finding mission tance, which will help to get out of the current difficult sit- bers parliament from his party and the chief of staff of Deputy and the war crimes committed by Azerbaijan from September uation. Prime Minister . 27 to November 9. He said dur- Prior to this arrest, on November 12 the Special ing the war, he published two Investigation Service put Vanetsyan and 9 other opposition interim reports on the atroci- politicals under preliminary arrest, including Gagik Tsarukyan ties of the Azerbaijani armed of the party and Armenian Revolutionary forces, three closed reports on Federation leader Ishkhan Saghatelyan for organizing an ille- the inhuman treatment of gal meeting, but on November 13 they were all released. Armenian prisoners of war and Vanetsyan, former director of Armenia's National Security corpses of military personnel by Service, is leader of the Fatherland opposition party. The Azerbaijanis, one report on the other suspects in the plot included Vahram Baghdasaryan, for- attack on the Holy Savior mer head of the Republican Party parliamentary faction, Cathedral (Ghazanchetsots) in Ashot Avagyan of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Shushi and another report on and Col. Ashot Minasyan, commander of a volunteer military the violation of children's group during the recent war. rights, as well as a joint report Pashinyan wrote on November 15 on Facebook that he with the human rights defender viewed dozens of frontline soldiers' videos that day. He of Armenia on the use of chem- exclaimed, "Boys, you are correct. I am awaiting you in ical weapons by Azerbaijani Yerevan. Finally to solve the issues of those whining under the armed forces. walls." He said the recorded facts are This statement was interpreted as a call to use force to solve more than enough for interna- the domestic political unrest. In turn, members of his parlia- tional human rights organiza- mentary My Step faction declared on social media that they tions and the international com- were going to resign, including Gayane Abrahamyan and MP munity to take appropriate Taguhi Tovmasyan. MP Lusine Badalyan declared she would steps to condemn the criminal lay down her mandate if My Step did not take immediate behavior of Azerbaijan. Baroness Caroline Cox, second from left, with Armenian and Artsakh human rights defenders and action concerning this situation. Furthermore, Varak In turn, Baroness Caroline other visitors Sisserian, chief of staff of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Cox emphasized that for many Avinyan, declared on Facebook that after Pashinyan's state- years she has talked about the ment, he is resigning from his position and Pashinyan's Civil rights of the people of Artsakh at international platforms, and After the meeting, the delegation visited a number of civil Contract Party. On November 13, Sisserian noted on during the war called on them to take practical steps to protect buildings in Artsakh capital Stepanakert destroyed as a result Facebook that he and his family received a threat from the rights of the people of Artsakh. of the Azerbaijani aggression. "Yergate Prountsk" and asked that the National Security Service look into this. To understand the background better, on November 10, President of the National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan was beat- en badly by a mob searching for Prime Minister Pashinyan and Let Us Prudently Evaluate the Blow to Artsakh and Armenia had to undergo surgery. He was said to be doing better, though requiring a second surgery, by November 13. PRUDENCE, from page 1 f) Declares that the November 10 peace agreement contains Pashinyan on November 16, again on Facebook, gave an d) Notes the signed agreement cannot be rendered binding historically unacceptable elements that must be rejected imme- interview in which he gave his own interpretation of his until it is ratified by the National Assembly of Armenia. diately, such as the legal control of any foreign power over the words of the prior day. He said that he was positively Therefore, we call on the prime minister to immediately assume south of Armenia (Meghri). responding to the requests of various soldiers who request- his constitutional responsibility and lead the process required g) States that the absence of a decision on the legal status of ed to meet with him after they return from the front. This by the constitutional order. Artsakh in the agreement opens the path to a new genocide. would, he said he meant, end the accusations of treachery e) States that if the prime minister is unable to fulfill his h) Calls upon the to stand by Armenia that had been directed at governmental and military leaders. responsibilities under the current circumstances, whether in unconditionally, demonstrating unity and support, so that we He added that no soldiers were allowed back into Yerevan order to avoid civil unrest or in case of his resignation, we can overcome these difficulties and be ready to face the chal- with their military arms. call on the National Assembly to propose to the president of lenges of the future with united forces. On November 16, Deputy Minister of the Environment the Republic of Armenia the formation of an “Interim We bow to the sacred memory of all our courageous martyrs Irina Ghaplanyan submitted her resignation. Coalition Government” of experienced, respected and trust- and express our support and sympathy to their family mem- ed leaders to bring the country out of this dangerous situa- bers. tion. Armenian Democratic Liberal Party Supreme Council 6 S ATURDAY N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Primate of Armenian Diocese Leads Delegation To Visit Syrian Minister of Religious Properties Spanish Parliament TARTOUS, (Kantsasar) — On Friday, November 13, the Primate of the Passes Motion to Send Armenian Diocese of Aleppo, Bishop Masis Zobuyan, with his delegation vis- Aid to Artsakh, Suspend ited Syrian Minister of Religious Properties Dr. Mohammed Abdul-Sattar Azerbaijan Arms Sales al-Sayyed at the latter’s residence in MADRID (Panorama.am) — The Spanish Tartous. Forming part of the delegation Parliament on Monday, November 17, adopted a were member of the Armenian National motion submitted by MP Jon Inarritu to send human- Administration, Metr Houri Abahouni- itarian assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Boshgezenian, member of the Religious and to suspend arms sales to Azerbaijan. ehBildu Council, Fr. Khoren Bertizlian, pastor of reported. Latakia and the Coastal Region, Fr. The motion also urges international organizations Vazken Keoshgerian and Garo to be actively involved in the search for a “peaceful Pamboukian. and negotiated solution to the conflict which has The minister warmly greeted the already caused a humanitarian crisis.” Primate and his delegation and stressed The Spanish lawmaker stressed the urgency of pro- the unique place and role of the Syrian viding humanitarian assistance to refugee families Armenian community in Syria's pros- and the need to maintain a proactive position within perity and development. In the course of international organizations, so that “the conflict in a cordial conversation, the minister the Artsakh Republic is put on the international underlined that the Armenians, in the The delegation visiting with the Minister of Religious Properties humanitarian agenda.” course of their entire history, have made “Despite the ceasefire agreed last week, the con- a splendid contribution to the Syrian flict continues and a lasting solution is needed more mosaic in all areas of life. He highlight- and difficulties that the Diocese of tioned with sorrow the current state of than ever,” he stated. ed the deep-rooted bonds of friendship Aleppo has faced, at the same time indi- Artsakh and the treaty that was signed, Recently, Inarritu was part of a delegation of between the noble people of Syria and cating that with a spirit of cooperation indicating his solidarity with the observers comprising parliamentarians and journal- the Armenians, which have historically and consistent efforts, it will be possible Armenian people of Armenia and ists from different states of the . He have had a special importance. He to overcome all obstacles. He stressed Artsakh. saw first-hand the situation in Armenia and Artsakh declared that Syrian-Armenians in a that cordial Muslim-Christian relations At the close of the meeting, the and has witnessed the damage caused by the Turkish- practical way demonstrated their loyalty were indispensable in order to rebuild Primate conveyed to the Minister the Azerbaijani aggression. and attachment to the Syrian homeland the Syrian homeland with united greetings of Catholicos of the Great and have become an eloquent example efforts. House of Aram I, and gifted to for others in regard to the values of all The Minister and the Primate turned the minister Catholicos Aram's book Russia Expects UN of humanity. their attention to the latest develop- The Armenian Church in Arabic transla- Involvement in Nagorno- The Primate highlighted the battles ments in Artsakh. The minister men- tion. Karabakh Efforts MOSCOW (Panorama.am) — Russia expects the UN Documentation Project on Atrocities in Nagorno-Karabakh structures to join the work on resolving humanitarian problems in Nagorno Karabakh, Russian Foreign Minister STEPANAKERT/NEW YORK — The Turkey deployed up to 2,000 Islamist Turkey’s President Erdogan affirmed, Sergey Lavrov said on November 17, according to Ria Program on Peacebuilding and Rights jihadis from Syria and who are “Turkey stands with and will continue to Novosti report. (PBHR) at Columbia University’s Institute promised a bounty for killing Armenians. stand with friendly and brotherly He clarified that he means the UN Office for the for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) Gruesome reports of torture and Azerbaijan with all our means and all Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of launched on November 12, a research pro- beheadings have emerged. French and our heart.” Turkey officially denies the the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The minister ject on “Human Rights and Foreign other intelligence services along with . added that it is also necessary to solve the problems of Terrorist Activities in Artsakh (Nagorno- the international media have confirmed “It is critical that we bear witness to preserving the region’s cultural , and the Karabakh).” In partnership with the that Turkish-backed foreign terrorists crimes against humanity,” said David L. UNESCO should deal with this. Human Rights Ombudsman for Artsakh, are paid a bounty for beheadings Phillips, who directs PBHR. Lavrov noted that the above mentioned and other orga- the project will draw on primary sources More than 1,400 Armenian fighters “Documentation can be a deterrent to nizations could benefit from the International Committee documenting crimes against humanity and and civilians have died since the begin- future crimes. It can also be used to hold of the Red Cross (ICRC) experience, which has been other atrocities committed by Azerbaijani ning of Azerbaijani/Turkish operations, perpetrators accountable.” working in the Nagorno Karabakh region for a long time. armed forces and Turkish-backed Islamist with over 100,000 civilians displaced by According to Artak Beglaryan, the fighters against Armenians. Project Azerbaijan’s policy. Human Rights Defender of the Republic arrangements were facilitated by the Armenian Orthodox churches have also of Artsakh, “Any individual or organiza- Dutch Parliament Adopts Armenian Assembly of America. been targeted, as have civilians. tion that claims to defend human rights Motions against Aliyev, attacked There are numerous verified cases of must defend them without limitation, Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27, Azerbaijani soldiers treating Armenian especially when the lives of a vulnerable Erdogan for War Crimes 2020. They were backed by Turkish mil- war prisoners inhumanely, mutilating and disadvantaged population are at itary and mercenaries with armed dead bodies, beheading and executing stake.” He deplores atrocities that are (Panorama.am) — The Dutch drones, heavy artillery, rocket systems both combatants and civilians. “invisible” to the international communi- Parliament on Monday, November 16, adopted five and special forces. According to the Azerbaijan also used banned weapons ty, turning a blind eye to crimes against motions on Turkish-Azerbaijani atrocities against Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, extensively. humanity. Nagorno Karabakh, the Federation of Armenian Organizations of the (FAON) reported. The motions envisage individual sanctions against Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip US Sec. of State Pompeo Discusses Karabakh with French FM Le Drian Erdogan and others for war crimes and atrocities against Artsakh. One of the motions also calls for POMPEO, from page 1 committed to our role as co-chairs in the Minsk Group process, EU arms embargo on Turkey for its complicity in the the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. that that’s where it is, recognizing the actions that Russia took aggression. Pompeo is on a seven-country tour, which some in the media which has led to a ceasefire that’s actually held now for about speculate is an attempt to burnish his legacy. a week, but also acknowledging that there were still a lot of In an interview to the French newspaper Le Figaro, Pompeo questions that needed clarity from the as to the para- Turkish Deputies Visit declared that during his same Paris visit, “France’s president meters of that agreement, and that included the role of the and I spent a lot of time discussing the Turks. Sisli Sports Club recent actions of Turkey and we agreed that they have been They both noted that the Russians have invited the co- ISTANBUL () — A group of deputies from very aggressive,” referring to Turkish support of Azerbaijan in chairs to Moscow for more clarity, and as you probably have the investigative committee on Human Rights of the the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as well as military actions in seen in the wires, there have been phone calls between and Grand National Assembly of Turkey recently visited Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean. “Europe and the United among the co-chairs. Foreign Minister Le Drian noted that he the Sisli Sports Club. States must work together to convince Erdogan that such had spoken to Lavrov, who acknowledged that they were try- These members have been in contact with the actions are not in the interest of his people,” he continued. ing to take action to stop what was really an emergency Turkish-Armenian community recently in light of the An excerpt from the official State Department transcript of humanitarian situation, but there do remain questions to be war in Artsakh. They have visited various communi- the Istanbul press conference follows. The speaker was only discussed about that. ty institutions including the Patriarchate and Surp identified as “Senior State Department Official One.” So a lot of talk about Nagorno-Karabakh, the , and Prgich National Hospital. “Foreign Minister Le Drian today in Paris. They talked then broadly also about Turkey and the various areas where At the Sisli Sports Club, they were welcomed by broadly about counterterrorism and ongoing work there. The we’re – we have some concerns and differences with the Turks the chairman of the board, Alen Tekbicaki. foreign minister noted recent successes that the French have – various theaters across the region from the Eastern Med., Discussions revolved around the effects of the war on had in the Sahel and that they could not have done without Libya, Syria, and other parts. Obviously, the Secretary was on the Turkish-Armenian community. In the course of the support of the U.S., highlighted that this is a great exam- his way here. And they spoke too about security in , the cordial conversation, the difficulties faced by the ple of where we have made such strides in the broad global keeping in close touch on the issues that we’ve raised there, Sisli Sports Club also came onto the agenda. counterterrorism effort. Obviously, the French with a particu- Foreign Minister Le Drian noting that the French have also lar emphasis on the Sahel and the real progress there. done their part to urge the Iraqis to take the appropriate steps They talked about Nagorno-Karabakh extensively. As two necessary to provide security in the Green Zone. I’ll leave it co-chairs, they shared the same view that we are – we remain there.” S ATURDAY N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 INTERNATIONAL Non-Profit Kooyrigs Inspires Young Diasporans to Aid Artsakh

its aid and relief program Looys, or “light” in By Maggie Ovian Armenian. It began as a straightforward initiative to Special to the Mirror-Spectator raise funds for the war effort in the form of humanitarian aid to be hand-delivered by the YEREVAN – On Sunday, September 27, on an four in-country team members. Founder Karine ordinary sunny day, Yerevan woke up to news of Eurdekian had reached out to the Women’s attacks on the border between Artsakh and Support Center, a Yerevan-based non-profit that Azerbaijan. If you weren’t aware of the news, it primarily serves victims of domestic abuse, to might have seemed like any other Sunday. But create a collaborative effort to provide direct aid if you were, you would notice the young men to those affected by the war in Artsakh. Looys and women nervously checking their phones, has been headed by both Karine, based in New either for news that they had been called to York, and Country Director Mariam Avagyan, serve or to find out that their friends had. You based in Yerevan, along with a team located would notice the makeshift donation collections both in Yerevan and around the US. that had appeared on every corner from At first, Kooyrigs’ approach was to fulfill Republic Square to the Cascade promenade. requests made by the Ministry of Health and the You’d notice the university students buzzing Stepanakert and hospitals. However, as around, filling boxes with medicine, clothing, the number of displaced families coming into and diapers to be sent in the many trucks going Armenia from Artsakh drastically rose, Kooyrigs to Artsakh daily. And you would notice that in shifted its focus to providing food and medicine the corner of your cell phone, mobile providers to these families, most living in shared apart- sent out the unifying message #HAGHTELU- ments or hotels that have opened their doors. ENQ, or “We will win,” emblazoned on screens Due to a strong network throughout the coun- try, Kooyrigs is able to source food direct- ly from farms, and medicine from a local family-owned pharmacy, thus also con- tributing to the local economy, an impor- tant aspect of the Looys initiative. The on-the-ground team hand-delivers these resources to the families throughout Armenia and Artsakh, documenting the entire process along the way. Transparency is always at the forefront for Kooyrigs, which publishes receipts of its spending online. Videos, photos, and interviews are also shared quickly to donors via Instagram, the organization’s primary platform and means of commu- Members of the Kooyrigs nication. Kooyrigs, which began as an Instagram platform in 2018 with the mission to throughout the country for the past forty-four fight for women’s rights in Armenia, has a days. unique fundraising advantage in its widespread Making a delivery in Vayk, Vayots Dzor Kooyrigs, with the help of dozens of volun- reach throughout the international diaspora. teers, packs food to be sent weekly to soldiers Over the past two years, Kooyrigs has estab- fighting on the southern border. lished itself as a tool and gathering space that related to COVID. to causes, and it is seen as social capital to be What has happened in Yerevan over the past connects young female and female-identifying When the war began in late September, politically active on social media channels. six weeks can only be described as mobilization. Armenians with both their culture and other Kooyrigs already had an established Instagram The result of these factors was huge: Kooyrigs Every person seems to be doing what they can, Armenians living in the diaspora. With eye- audience of fourteen thousand followers, most raised over $140,000 in a matter of weeks, and from the older women selling jingalov hats on catching graphics and witty punchlines, located in the US, but with a significant pres- the fundraising efforts are going strong. the street to the repatriate community enlisting Kooyrigs creates content that resonates with ence around the world. Since then, its influence Individual followers have undertaken their own and going to Artsakh to fight. Everyone has the millennial and Gen-Z generations and sparks and following has exploded. Looys quickly fundraisers: selling everything from art prints been doing their part to ensure that Armenia pride in traditions, current events, and even col- became a prominent recipient of funds due to its and jewelry to services like yoga classes and does, in fact, win. Kooyrigs, or “Sisters,” an lective grievances. Its many initiatives to aid immediate announcement and easy donation Armenian coffee cup readings, and funneling Armenian feminist platform that began on Armenian communities around the world have process. Kooyrigs has been able to capitalize on their proceeds to the Looys initiative. The effort Instagram but has grown into a prominent non- led the organization to file for non-profit regis- the viral nature of social media to reach not only to help is both collective and far-reaching. profit, is no exception. Within twenty-four hours tration in both Armenia and the United States, young people in the diaspora but their non- Kooyrigs has already had a direct impact on of the start of the war, Kooyrigs had launched both of which are still pending due to delays Armenian friends, therefore creating more buy- the lives of many families that have had to flee in and encouraging everyone to care about and their homes in pursuit of safety, but its goals are participate in the daily events in Armenia and not short-term. The outlook of the conflict sug- Artsakh. gests that Artsakhtsis will be displaced for the Fortunately, young people are not strangers foreseeable future, and Kooyrigs’ efforts reflect to caring about and acting in solidarity with that reality. By directly sourcing items like food causes that don’t necessarily affect them. This is and medicine, the organization is able to cut a generation that does not hesitate to open down costs and, therefore, help more people. As their wallets and give, often in micro donations, the war rages on with no end in sight, it is crit- to a conflict happening on the other side of the ical that organizations like Kooyrigs orient world in the name of human rights. Also to themselves towards long-term relief. The con- Kooyrigs’ advantage is the fact that it’s both eas- stant work done by dedicated individuals will ier than ever to transfer small amounts of cash not relent any time soon.

Lavrov and Azeri Counterpart Discuss Russian Contingent to Karabakh The Aliyevs enjoy a photo shoot in full camouflage in Karabakh. MOSCOW (TASS) — Russian Foreign practical steps of the parties to the joint state- Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Azerbaijani ment in the context of deploying a peacekeep- Photos of Aliyevs in Crosshairs of Iranian counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov discussed in a ing contingent of the Russian Armed Forces phone conversation on Sunday the deployment and streamlining its work “on the ground.” Sniper Emerge on Social Media of a Russian peacekeeping contingent to Lavrov also informed his Azerbaijani coun- Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian Foreign terpart about key aspects of an effort on setting (Panorama.am) — The Ilham Aliyev and his wife Ministry said. up the inter-agency humanitarian response cen- Mehriban visited on Monday, November 16, the occupied territories of Nagorno Karabakh. “As a follow-up to the contacts between ter in Nagorno-Karabakh. The two ministers Photos of visit were widely shared in Azerbaijani media. [Russian and Azerbaijani] Presidents Vladimir confirmed the need for an active involvement of As part of the trip, the Azerbaijani president and his wife visited also the Khoda Afarin Putin and Ilham Aliyev the ministers consid- international organizations, including the bridges near the Iranian border, where a photo session was organized for them. ered in detail the implementation of the United Nations High Commissioner for In the meantime, social media users and Iranian media disseminated photos of what November 9 joint statement of the leaders of Refugees, the United Nations Development appear to be Aliyev, his wife and group of accompanying people in the crosshairs of a Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Russian Program, UNESCO and the International sniper's rifle. Federation on a ceasefire and halting all mili- Committee of the Red Cross, “in order to facili- The images presumably taken from the Iranian side show the Aliyevs participating in a tary actions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict tate post-conflict restoration, solve humanitari- photoshoot. zone,” the ministry stated. an tasks and preserve religious and cultural Special attention was paid to coordinating heritage in the region.” 8 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News Mt. Davidson Cross Early Data Show Armenian Council in San Francisco Announces Six Moderna’s New Board Members Coronavirus SAN FRANCISCO – The Mt. Davidson Cross Armenian Council announces the appointment of six new members to the Cross Council, as well Vaccine Is as the full slate of board members for 2020-2021. The Council is comprised of thirty-one Armenian 94.5% Effective organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and serves as a steward of a historic monument ded- icated to the Armenian Genocide. “We’re excited to expand our board with six By Denise Grady new members who will bring their diverse exper- tise and insight to our ongoing work,” said CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (New York Times) — The Sevag Kevranian, chairperson of the Mt. drugmaker Moderna announced on Monday, Davidson Cross Armenian Council, “We are November 16, that its coronavirus vaccine was eager to channel the energy and talents of our 94.5 percent effective, based on an early look at new members into furthering our mission.” the results from its large, continuing study. As of October 2020, the new members include: Researchers said the results were better than Fr. Mesrop Ash, St. John Armenian Apostolic they had dared to imagine. But the vaccine will Church not be widely available for months, probably not Valina Agbabian, Armenian Assembly of until spring. America Moderna is the second company to report Dena Aslanian-Williams, West of Twin Peaks preliminary data on an apparently successful Central Council vaccine, offering hope in a surging pandemic Kim Bardakian, St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic that has infected more than 53 million people Church worldwide and killed more than 1.2 million. Sona Bekmezian, Calvary Armenian Pfizer, in collaboration with BioNTech, was the Congregational Church first, reporting one week ago that its vaccine Charles Cherezian, St. John Armenian An Armenian soldier suffering from devastating injuries this October was more than 90 percent effective. Apostolic Church Pfizer and Moderna were the first to The Cross Council Committee members com- announce early data on large studies, but 10 prise a dedicated team of community leaders. other companies are also conducting big Phase They will join incumbent board members in pro- 3 trials in a global race to produce a vaccine, viding vision and setting the direction for the Wounded Heroes of including efforts in , Britain, , council and its initiatives. During these uncer- and Russia. More than 50 other candi- tain times in Artsakh and Armenia, the council dates are in earlier stages of testing. also acts as a conduit for important information Armenia and Artsakh Still The Food and Drug Administration has said to be disseminated to the organizations through- that coronavirus vaccines should be at least 50 out the Bay Area. percent effective to be approved. The Council elected the following officers for Need Diaspora’s Help Researchers test vaccines by inoculating 2020 - 2021: WATERTOWN — The war may be over for now, but soldiers in Armenia and some study participants and giving others Chairperson Sevag Kevranian Artsakh are still on duty and still need the diaspora’s help, says the co-founder placebos, and then watching the two groups to Vice-Chairperson Bryan Agbabian of the Armenian Wounded Heroes see how many people get sick. In Moderna’s Treasurer Judy Jingirian Fund (AWHF). study, 95 people contracted the coronavirus: Secretary Sona Bekmezian By Alin K. Gregorian Razmig Arzoumanian in an inter- five who were vaccinated, and 90 who received The At-Large Board Members include Garo Mirror-Spectator Staff view this week said that the AWHF placebo shots of saltwater. Statistically, the dif- Arabatyan, Ara Harmandarian, Levon Ishag, has raised almost $6 million in 6 ference between the two groups was highly sig- Zaven Kanneian, Jacques Oskanian, Hagop weeks from global supporters. nificant. And of the 95 cases, 11 were severe — Tatoian, Paul Tour-Sarkissian and Yeni- In a statement sent to donors and supporters, the organizers suggest that all in the placebo group. Komshian. the support for the troops should continue, as their enemies will still be there. The results were analyzed by an independent The Mt. Davidson Cross Armenian Council “Armenia remains under constant threat, surrounded by hostile enemies who data safety monitoring board, appointed by the meets regularly to discuss maintenance, plan- are committed to complete their genocidal goals. Our enemies will use this time National Institutes of Health. ning and event reservations as well as communi- to reload their military, so we will need to rebuild our defenses. Sadly, we have Moderna, based in Cambridge, Mass., devel- ty events involving the Cross. almost 2,000 fallen heroes and 5,000 wounded heroes who need our help. oped its vaccine in collaboration with Mt. Davidson Cross is home of the historical Despite our disappointments, Armenia and Artsakh are still our homeland and researchers from the Vaccine Research Center, San Francisco landmark which adorns spectacu- we can’t turn our backs on our heroes and their sacrifices,” the statement read part of the National Institute of Allergy and lar views from the highest point in San Francisco in part. Infectious Diseases. and also includes trails, nature, meditation, and Among the items that will be sent there purchased by these funds are heavy- Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the insti- duty personal protection equipment. tute, said in an interview: “I had been saying I They have provided first-aid training to many of the soldiers on the frontlines. would be satisfied with a 75-percent effective Among things that have been sent already or are in the process of being sent are: vaccine. Aspirationally, you would like to see •2,302 level 4 body armor vests 90, 95 percent, but I wasn’t expecting it. I • 5,800 ballistic helmets thought we’d be good, but 94.5 percent is very • Thousands of military-grade first aid kits (in addition to over 21,000 first- impressive.” aid kits delivered prior to the war) Stéphane Bancel, the chief of Moderna, said in a statement that the results see WOUNDED, page 10 had provided “the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent Covid-19 disease, including severe disease.” Pfizer and Moderna each announced the findings in news releases, not in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and the companies have not a forest in the middle of an urban environment. yet disclosed the detailed data that would allow The mission of the Cross is to promote the outside experts to evaluate their claims. Armenian culture and historical heritage, and to Therefore, the results cannot be considered con- provide documentation and information on clusive. The studies are continuing, and the fig- Armenian issues, particularly as to the Armenian ures on effectiveness may change. Genocide. Mount Davidson Cross is home to the The companies’ products open the door to an annual April 24 Armenian Genocide entirely new way of creating vaccines — and cre- Commemoration and Easter Sunrise Service. ating them fast. Both use a synthetic version of On July 12, 1997, the Council of Armenian- coronavirus genetic material, called messenger American Organizations of Northern California RNA or mRNA, to program a person’s cells to (CAAONC), a coalition of over 30 Armenian- churn out many copies of a fragment of the American Organizations outbid other groups, virus. That fragment sets off alarms in the purchased the Cross from the City of San immune system and stimulates it to attack, Francisco. On November 4, 1997, the CAAONC A training session by AWHF before the war, teaching the use of the first aid kits should the real virus try to invade. Although a became the legal owner of the Mt. Davidson number of vaccines using this technology are in Cross and assumed the responsibility for main- development for other infections and cancers, taining it. see MODERNA, page 9 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Federal Authorities Arrest 9 for Scheme that Laundered Over $30 Million in Fraud Proceeds

LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities on scheme involving a $2 million residence that The defendants arrested are: Gagik Fargo Bank manager, Hakop Zakaryan, November 12 arrested nine defendants, most was forfeited to the United States earlier this Airapetian, 62, of Woodland Hills; Tigran pleaded guilty to bank fraud for his role in of whom allegedly were involved in a sophis- year. A second defendant in the real estate Galstyan, 48, of Sylmar; Moses Seraydarian, the scheme. ticated money laundering scheme that moved scam is also a fugitive. 54, of Northridge; Stepan Terakopyan, 35, of The other money laundering indictment tens of millions of dollars derived from tax The leader of the schemes outlined in the Granada Hills; Petros Terakopyan, 64, of Sun unsealed on November 12 describes a related fraud and health care fraud schemes. two money laundering indictments — Gagik Valley; Karen Pogosian, 49, of Van Nuys; and conspiracy, also orchestrated by Airapetian, Two indictments unsealed this morning Airapetian — directed other conspirators to Haroutioun Demirdjian, 54, of North that laundered monies derived from health allege that a total of 10 defendants partici- use altered foreign , mostly from Hollywood. care fraud. Similar to the tax fraud money pated in a large operation that laundered the Republic of Armenia, to rent mailboxes Authorities are continuing to search for laundering scheme, members of this conspir- more than $30 million in tax refunds that and open bank accounts to launder funds three money laundering defendants: Davit acy allegedly opened bank accounts using had been obtained from approximately 7,000 from tax fraud and health care fraud, accord- Asoyan, 29, of Granada Hills; Nikoghos fraudulent identities, and Airapetian alleged- fraudulent tax returns filed using identities ing to the indictments. Members of the con- Petrosyan; and Albert Andriasov, 28, of Las ly charged a 30 percent laundering fee. As stolen from thousands of American taxpay- spiracies allegedly altered Republic of Vegas. detailed in the indictment, the FBI also con- ers. Seven of the 10 defendants named in Armenia passports by placing their pho- Ara Sahakyan, 54, of Reseda, was arrested ducted an undercover operation where the these two indictments were arrested this tographs on top of the real holders’ pursuant to the indictment alleging the car schemers laundered funds they thought were morning, and three are still being sought by photographs, and then using the altered leasing scheme in which he leased three dif- from health care fraud. authorities. passports to open more than 500 bank ferent vehicles by falsely claiming to be a The arrests are part of a continuing multi- Two additional defendants arrested this accounts. CFO earning $189,000 per year. agency investigation into a Stolen Identity morning are charged in two other indict- The nine defendants were arrested on In relation to the indictment that alleges Refund Fraud (SIRF) scheme – dubbed ments that allege fraud, one involving a car November 12 by special agents with the FBI the short sale scheme, Armen Oganesian, 56, Operation “SIRF’s Up” – that involved con- leasing scam and one involving a short sale and IRS Criminal Investigation. of Los Feliz, was arrested this morning. spirators who used false identities and fake Arsen Abrahamyan is also charged in this Republic of Armenia and other former Soviet case, and he is believed to have fled the Republic passports to open hundreds of bank United States. accounts that were used to launder tens of Members of the money laundering conspir- millions of dollars in tax refunds fraudulent- acies used attorneys to try to unfreeze bank ly received from the IRS. After the arrests Together for Artsakh accounts that banks had frozen due to sus- this morning, federal authorities have now pected fraud, according to court documents. charged a total of 35 defendants linked to the Airapetian bribed a lawyer to use his attor- scheme. So far, the investigation has resulted ney client trust account – which is supposed in 15 convictions, and the seizure of at least This is a message for those who wonder to be used by attorneys to segregate client five residential properties worth millions of how they could contribute today to counter funds from the attorney’s money – to launder dollars and more than $700,000 from bank thedŚĞŽŶŐŽŝŶŐĂŐŐƌĞƐƐŝŽŶĂŐĂŝŶƐƚƌƚƐĂŬŚŝƐĂĐŽŶƟŶƵĂƟŽŶŽĨƚŚĞϭϵϭϱƌŵĞŶŝĂŶ'ĞŶŽĐŝĚĞďLJdƵƌŬĞLJ͘dŚĞƚƌŝƉĂƌƟƚĞĂůůŝĂŶĐĞ genocidal threat against the people of Artsakh. more than $500,000 in tax fraud proceeds, accounts. Five defendants remain fugitives ŽĨnjĞƌďĂŝũĂŶ͕dƵƌŬĞLJ͕ĂŶĚ/ƐůĂŵŝƐƚƚĞƌƌŽƌŝƐŵĐŽŶƟŶƵĞƐĂƩĂĐŬŝŶŐƉĞĂĐĞĨƵůĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐĂĐƌŽƐƐƌƚƐĂŬŚ͘dŚĞĂŐŐƌĞƐƐŽƌƐƵƐĞ the indictment states. Glendale lawyer from justice. ƚŚĞŝƌĞŶƟƌĞŵŝůŝƚĂƌLJŵŝŐŚƚ͕ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂůůLJďĂŶŶĞĚĐůƵƐƚĞƌŵƵŶŝƟŽŶĂŶĚĐŚĞŵŝĐĂůǁĞĂƉŽŶƐ͘ Arthur S. Charchian previously pleaded If convicted of all charges, Airapetian dŚĞŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂůƌĞĐŽŐŶŝƟŽŶŽĨŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶĐĞŽĨƚŚĞZĞƉƵďůŝĐŽĨƌƚƐĂŬŚŝƐƚŚĞŵŽƐƚƉƌĂĐƟĐĂůǁĂLJƚŽĞŶĚǁĂƌĐƌŝŵĞƐ guilty to one count of money laundering and would face a statutory maximum sentence of ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚƌƚƐĂŬŚĂŶĚƚŽƐŽůǀĞƚŚĞ<ĂƌĂďĂŬŚĐŽŶŇŝĐƚ͘ƌƚƐĂŬŚ͛ƐŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶĐĞƐƚĂŶĚƐŽŶĂƐƚƌŽŶŐůĞŐĂůĂŶĚŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐĂůƉůĂƞŽƌŵ͖ ŶŽƚŽŶůLJŝƐŝƚƵŶĚĞƌǁƌŝƩĞŶďLJƚŚĞůĂƐƚϯϬLJĞĂƌƐŽĨƌƚƐĂŬŚ͛ƐĨĂĐƚƵĂůƐŽǀĞƌĞŝŐŶƚLJ͕ŝƚĂůƐŽƌĞƐƚƐŽŶƚŚĞŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐĂůƌĞĐŽƌĚŽĨĮŌĞĞŶ one count of making a false statement to the more than 400 years in federal prison. The ĐĞŶƚƵƌŝĞƐŽĨƌƚƐĂŬŚ͛ƐƵŶŝŶƚĞƌƌƵƉƚĞĚŝŶƐƟƚƵƟŽŶĂůƐĞůĨͲŐŽǀĞƌŶĂŶĐĞ͕ƐƚĂƌƟŶŐŝŶƚŚĞĮŌŚĐĞŶƚƵƌLJ͘ Social Security Administration as he admit- other defendants in the money laundering The for Artsakh, Inc. (AFA) ŝƐĂh^ͲƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌĞĚŶŽŶͲƉƌŽĮƚŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ͕ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐƚŽďƌŝŶŐƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ted laundering $549,000 for the scheme. indictments unsealed today each face prison ŵĞƌŝĐĂŶƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞƌƐŽĨƌƚƐĂŬŚ͛ƐƌĞĐŽŐŶŝƟŽŶ͕ĂŶĚĐŚĂŶŶĞůŝŶŐƚŚĞĞŶĞƌŐLJĂŶĚĞdžƉĞƌƟƐĞŽĨƌŵĞŶŝĂŶŵĞƌŝĐĂŶƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶͲ According to one of the indictments statutory maximum sentences of more than ĂůƐŝŶƚŽĐŽŶĐƌĞƚĞǁĂLJƐƚŽƐƵƉƉŽƌƚƚŚĞƉĞŽƉůĞŽĨƌƚƐĂŬŚŝŶƚŚĞŝƌĚĞŵŽĐƌĂƟĐĂƐƉŝƌĂƟŽŶƐ͘ unsealed, defendant Galstyan bribed bank 100 years of imprisonment. /ŶĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂƟŽŶƐǁŝƚŚƚŚĞ'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚŽĨƚŚĞZĞƉƵďůŝĐŽĨƌƚƐĂŬŚ͕&ŝƐĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJďƵŝůĚŝŶŐĂƚĞĂŵŽĨƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůƐǁŝůůŝŶŐƚŽ managers to unfreeze bank accounts that This matter was investigated by IRS ũŽŝŶŚĂŶĚƐŝŶƚŚŝƐďĂƩůĞ͘WůĞĂƐĞĐŽŶƚĂĐƚƵƐŝĨLJŽƵǁŽƵůĚůŝŬĞƚŽĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚĞLJŽƵƌĞdžƉĞƌƟƐĞĂŶĚŵĂŬĞĂĮƌŵƟŵĞĐŽŵŵŝƚŵĞŶƚ ƚŽƚŚŝƐĞīŽƌƚ͘KƵƚŶƵŵďĞƌĞĚĂŶĚŽƵƚŐƵŶŶĞĚ͕ƌƚƐĂŬŚĐŽŶƟŶƵĞƐƚŽĚĞĨĞŶĚŝƚƐĨƌĞĞĚŽŵŽŶƚŚĞďĂƩůĞĮĞůĚ͘tŝƚŚƚŚĞŐŽĂůŽĨ contained funds suspected to have been Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and ůĞǀĞƌĂŐŝŶŐƌƚƐĂŬŚ͕ǁĞŶĞĞĚƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞƌƐǁŚŽŚĂǀĞƐŬŝůůƐĂŶĚĐŽŶƚĂĐƚƐŝŶƚŚĞĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐĂƌĞĂƐ͗ derived from fraud. Last year, a former Wells Homeland Security Investigations. ͻ,ƵŵĂŶƌŝŐŚƚƐ͕ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJŝŶƌĞŵĞĚŝĂůƐĞůĨͲĚĞƚĞƌŵŝŶĂƟŽŶĂŶĚƐĞĐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ͻĞŵŽĐƌĂƟĐŐŽǀĞƌŶĂŶĐĞ ͻ&ŽƌŵĞƌ^ŽǀŝĞƚhŶŝŽŶƌĞŐŝŽŶĂůĞdžƉĞƌƚƐ ͻ:ŽƵƌŶĂůŝƐŵ tĞĂůƐŽŶĞĞĚƚŚĞĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐƚĞĐŚŶŝĐĂůĞdžƉĞƌƚƐ͗ Early Data Show Moderna’s Coronavirus ͻŽƉLJǁƌŝƚĞƌ ͻĚŝƚŽƌ ͻtŽƌĚWƌĞƐƐŽŶƚĞŶƚDĂŶĂŐĞƌ Vaccine Is 94.5% Effective ͻsŝĚĞŽΘƵĚŝŽWƌŽĚƵĐĞƌĂŶĚĚŝƚŽƌ ͻ/ŶĨŽŐƌĂƉŚŝĐƐ/ůůƵƐƚƌĂƚŽƌ MODERNA, from page 8 Although both vaccines are made of mRNA, ͻ'ƌĂƉŚŝĐĞƐŝŐŶĞƌ none have yet been approved or marketed. their temperature requirements differ because ͻWƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞƌ͗W,W͕tŽƌĚWƌĞƐƐ͕^ĞĐƵƌŝƚLJ ͻ^ĞĂƌĐŚŶŐŝŶĞKƉƟŵŝnjĂƟŽŶƐƉĞĐŝĂůŝƐƚ “The fact that two different vaccines made by they use different, proprietary formulations of ͻ^ŽĐŝĂůŵĞĚŝĂƐƉĞĐŝĂůŝƐƚ two different companies with two different fat to encase and protect the mRNA, Ray ͻKĸĐĞDĂŶĂŐĞƌ kinds of structures, in a new messenger RNA , a Moderna spokesman, said. ƚƚŚŝƐƉŽŝŶƚ͕ǁĞŚĂǀĞƚŽƌĞůLJŽŶůLJŽŶƚŚĞŚĞůƉŽĨĂĐĐŽŵƉůŝƐŚĞĚƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůƐŽƌĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐǁŚŽĐĂŶƋƵŝĐŬůLJĚĞůŝǀĞƌ concept, both worked so effectively confirms Other coronavirus vaccines being developed ŚŝŐŚͲƋƵĂůŝƚLJƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ͘ the concept once and for all that this is a viable will need only refrigeration. If handled improp- tĞůŽŽŬĨŽƌǁĂƌĚƚŽƌĞĐĞŝǀŝŶŐLJŽƵƌŽīĞƌƐ͘>Ğƚ͛ƐƐƚĂLJƐƚƌŽŶŐĨŽƌƌƚƐĂŬŚ͊ strategy not only for Covid but for future infec- erly, vaccines can become inactive. &ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ƉůĞĂƐĞĐŽŶƚĂĐƚƵƐĂƚ͗ŵĞƌŝĐĂŶƐϰƌƚƐĂŬŚΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ tious disease threats,” said Dr. Barry R. Bloom, But on Monday, Moderna said researchers ^ƵďũĞĐƚ͗^ƚĂLJ^ƚƌŽŶŐǁŝƚŚƌƚƐĂŬŚ͊ a professor of public health at Harvard. had found that its vaccine had a longer shelf life /ŶLJŽƵƌŵĞƐƐĂŐĞ͕ƉůĞĂƐĞŝŶĚŝĐĂƚĞƚŚĞƟŵĞLJŽƵĐĂŶĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞƚŽƚŚŝƐƉƌŽũĞĐƚ͕ĂŶĚŬŝŶĚůLJŝŶĐůƵĚĞĂůŝŶŬƚŽLJŽƵƌƉŽƌƞŽůŝŽ͕s͕ Natalie E. Dean, a biostatistician at the in the refrigerator than previously thought: 30 ŽƌǁĞďƐŝƚĞ͘ University of Florida, said an important finding days, not seven. And it will last 12 hours at was that the vaccine appeared to prevent severe room temperature, the company said. disease. Pfizer did not release information about Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease disease severity when reporting its results. expert at Vanderbilt University, said the relative Researchers say the positive results from ease of handling the Moderna vaccine would Pfizer and Moderna bode well for other vac- give it a big advantage. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE cines, because all of the candidates being tested “This vaccine presents the opportunity of aim at the same target — the so-called spike pro- using doctors’ offices, clinics and pharmacies as tein on the coronavirus that it uses to invade vaccination sites,” he said, adding that he would human cells. not be surprised, should both vaccines become Students of Armenian Descent Dr. Bloom said that the success of the two available, if vaccination sites requested vaccines meant that measures of immunity used Moderna’s. Having Completed One Year of College by June, 2021 in earlier phases of the studies—participants’ Both companies said they expected to apply antibody levels—-were reliable, and that other within weeks to the F.D.A. for emergency autho- Applications and other information may be obtained from companies could use those measures as proof of rization to begin vaccinating the public. In addi- effectiveness to shorten the testing and tion to the evidence for effectiveness, the com- approval process for their vaccines. panies must also submit two months of safety ARMENIAN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION It will be important to determine whether the data on at least half of the participants. Scholarship Committee vaccines work equally well in older and younger So far, studies of the two vaccines have not people, experts say. Researchers also want to found serious side effects, but participants have 333 Atlantic Avenue • Warwick, RI 02888 know if the vaccines prevent people from reported sore arms, fatigue, fever and joint and Tel. 401 461-6114 • Fax 401 461-6112 spreading the virus — an ideal result that could muscle aches that last for a day or two. help quash the pandemic. Moderna’s study did not include children. Dr. Another big unknown is how long the immu- Tal Zaks, the company’s chief medical officer, e-mail: [email protected] nity provided by the vaccines will last. said the company planned to test it in them in An additional concern is that both vaccines the coming months, starting with adolescents. Deadline for returning completed Applications: must be stored and transported at low temper- Moderna said it would have 20 million doses March 15, 2021 atures — minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit for ready by the end of 2020; Pfizer said it would Moderna, and minus 94 Fahrenheit for Pfizer — have about 50 million by then. Both vaccines which could complicate their distribution, par- require two shots, so 20 million doses would be ticularly to low-income areas in hot climates. enough for 10 million people. 10 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Wounded Heroes of Armenia and Artsakh Still Need Diaspora’s Help

WOUNDED, from page 8 They have all been through massive trauma,” •4,600 thermal undergarments (for the win- he noted. ter) “The diaspora thinks everyone has left. • 1,410 solar chargers There is still a lot of stuff going on. We need to •350 high quality sleeping bags support them now more than ever,” he added. • 850 raincoats Arzoumanian was in turns optimistic and • Other tactical and communications gear worried. “The guys on the frontline are freezing • Critical supplies for the Ste8panakert, their butts off,” he said, noting that they are Goris and Yerevan military hospitals, includ- still on duty defending Armenia and the small- ing IV prep kits, sutures, catheters, syringes er Artsakh and their needs continue even after and more the official end to the hostilities. “These guys have been through hell for 45 “It’s not the last war, unfortunately,” days, to say the least. There is a calamity in the Arzoumanian added. hospitals with burn patients and soldiers who And thus the help is still needed. “What we have brain damage, are handicapped and blind. don’t want to see is to have an entire force fall.

The donations still get there because they are Ministry of Emergency Situations and the met by a specific central line in the US to the Ministry of Defense,” he noted. And those are still functioning, he said. To get supplies there, the group charters a plane. “We cover a lot of the budget ourselves,” he said. “We don’t have a staff and its all volun- teers. One hundred percent of all our money gets to where it should go. There is a tight vac- uum and it is all going to the soldiers.” After the capitulation, he said, so much is up in the air. “The key is, these guys still need us and we can still help them. After all the sacrifices they have made, we can’t turn our backs on them. I hope we can learn from this and realize we need to be more actively supporting our forces. Otherwise, we won’t survive. If we don’t defend ourselves, we will get screwed.” “If we want a country, we have to be pre- pared,” he said, especially in light of neighbors like Turkey and Azerbaijan. AWHF cargo landing in Armenia One of the first aid kits To send donations, go to https://armenian- woundedheroes.com/

The Vahan Tekeyan School, founded in 1951, was damaged jby]Y\q theo AugustYkkljm__daf_\m] 4 explosionlgD] in .ZYfgf k][gfgea[[jakakIt primarily servesYf a\ The Tekeyanlow-income segment School of the Armenian community of and al- Beirut HELPthe Covid-19 Us pandemic. Now it is Rebuildtrying to reopen for the fall semester.

The Tekeyan Cultural Association of the US and is sending aid and asks your assistance too. Make your donations by credit card at https://givebutter.com/bXn8Lm or as checks mailed to the Tekeyan Cultural Association (memo: Beirut Tekeyan School), at its headquarters (755 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown MA 02472). All administrative costs for this campaign will be borne by the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the US and Canada. For more information, email [email protected] or call 617 924-4455.

S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Protesters Persist in

By Kenneth Martin Special to the Mirror-Spectator

BOSTON — Armenian-American young men and women in Boston haven’t given up demon- strating and fighting for Armenian human rights and against Azerbaijan and Turkey for their invasion of the Artsakh Republic, Nagorno-Karabakh, and a six-week war with the loss of life, property and cultural assets of the Armenian heritage. Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), members from several organizations formed a 100-strong unit that dis- played informational signs on November 14 to traffic and pedestrians in Boston’s Back Bay Copley Square across from the Boston Public Library. The flags of Artsakh, Armenia, and the United States flew briskly in the wind on Copley Plaza. Later, the youth formed a march around the square and in front of the iconic Trinity Church.

Several grievances were highlighted, includ- ing the vandalism, recently shown in pho- tographs and video by Azerbaijani military and their Syrian mercenaries, of grave markers, churches and historic sites, including more attacks and painting of threats to Armenians on the Church of the Holy Savior in Shushi City. Demonstrators were also protesting the silence of many European powers, the United States and the United Nations for not speaking up and acting to prevent these crimes. Additionally pro- testors pointed to what they consider an illegal document that ended the fighting brokered by Russia that gave away significant lands and rights to Azerbaijan because two signatories of the Minsk Group that has been responsible for negotiations for years in the region, the United States and France, did not take part in negotia- tions or sign the documents ceasing hostilities between the warring parties. The protest action, though smaller than recent Armenian protests in Boston and New England, was effective in informing and edu- cating the Greater Boston public since the loca- tion allowed its messages to be seen by drivers and pedestrians alike. Passing vehicles often sounded their horns in solidarity. Many of the demonstrators spoke about their feelings of loss and depression one day before the Artsakh Republic was to give significant territory in their homeland to Azerbaijan and likened that to losing huge areas of the traditional Armenian homeland after the Genocide of 1915 to Turkey. They vowed though to use every opportunity to keep fighting for what is right. (See mirrorspectator.com for an accompany- ing video by Ken Martin, edited by Craig Martin.) 12 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

US Must Reengage with OSCE Minsk Group to Ensure Lasting Settlement that Protects Returning Civilians

WASHINGTON — On November 12, sage to its enclave, Nakhichevan, through incoming Biden Administration to: Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA), Armenia itself, while doing nothing to Immediately end the waiver of Section (D-CA), and Frank Pallone resolve the final status of Nagorno 907 of the Freedom Support Act with (D-NJ), co-chairs of the Congressional Karabakh. regard to Azerbaijan, and end military Caucus on Armenian Issues, sent a letter “While we welcome peace, we are assistance to Azerbaijan under Section to President-elect Joe Biden regarding the deeply concerned about the immediate 333 which has totaled more than $100 mil- crisis in Nagorno Karabakh, or Artsakh, and long-term implications of this deal, lion in the past two years; where a war launched by Azerbaijan, sup- which does nothing to settle the question Reengage on negotiations for a lasting ported by Turkey and foreign mercenar- of Nagorno Karabakh’s ultimate status. settlement through the OSCE Minsk ies, has caused a mass humanitarian dis- Further, we believe that this tragic out- Group, to define the future status of aster. The letter asks that the president- come was avoidable had the United States Nagorno Karabakh in a way that is consis- elect prepare to act after his inauguration and the international community acted tent with the right of self-determination; to reorient US policy in the region in decisively,” the members wrote in the let- Provide significant humanitarian aid and response to the devastating events of the ter. “For far too long, we have condoned assistance in clearing unexploded muni- past month, and to support , the bellicose rhetoric and aggressive tions, and ensure that displaced Armenian human rights, and the right of self-deter- actions of Turkey and Azerbaijan, and the civilians can return to their homes; mination. results are now devastatingly clear. As you Engage in a thorough review of U.S. pol- On November 10, Armenia agreed to a take office, you have the opportunity to icy towards Turkey, a nation that while a ceasefire brokered by Russia to avoid a forge a new policy towards the region, one member of NATO has repeatedly acted mass atrocity against Armenian civilians, that reorients our foreign policy towards against U.S. interests; but at tremendous cost. Under the agree- supporting democracy, human rights, and Seek to strengthen our ties to Armenia, ment, Azerbaijan will hold territory in the right to self-determination.” a young democracy that has been shaken Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) Nagorno Karabakh and be guaranteed pas- In the letter, the members urged the by the events of the past month.

OBITUARY Lucia ‘Lucy’ (Pamboukian) Mardiros (Martik) Petrossian Sabounjian BELMONT, Mass. — Mardiros “Martik” Christina, Ella, Lia and great-grandchildren: Petrossian passed away peacefully on Declan and Sloane, nephews, nieces and friends. November 12, 2020 at his home in Belmont, Martik was born in Rostov-on-Don in Russia Moved from to Boston surrounded by his loving family. to Mihran and Vartanoush Petrossian. He was He was 97 years old. the eldest brother of Mano, Onnik and Raffik. WATERTOWN — Lucia “Lucy” (Pamboukian) along with her mother, visited relatives in He leaves behind his loving wife Elik, his chil- Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, pri- Sabounjian, of Watertown, passed away on South Boston. During her visit here, Lucy met dren Anna, Boghos, Carine, and Garen; vate funeral services will be held at Saint November 8, at age 93. Missah and were married three months later. his son-in-law Stephen’s Armenian Church in Watertown. A She was the wife of the late Missah Sabounjian. She was welcomed into an extended family Robert and two memorial celebration of his life will take place Born in Aleppo, Syria she was the proud where she loved and lived life to the fullest. She daughters-in-law at a later time when the dangers associated daughter of Armenian Genocide survivors especially enjoyed being surrounded by family Mineh and with the current pandemic are no longer a Sarkis and Makrouhi Pamboukian. They immi- and friends and enjoyed cooking for anyone Melineh, brother health threat. grated to Sao Paulo, Brazil and in 1948, she, who appreciated her natural art of fine Raffik and his Should you wish to make a memorial . wife Anahid; donation, in lieu of flowers, consider the fol- Loving mother of V. Jack Sabounjian and his grandchildren: lowing: Armenia Fund – Please make checks wife Liz, Joyce Kenis and her husband Alex, and Kate, payable to Armenia Fund, Inc. and mail to: Janet Pugh and her husband Greg and Judy Taleen, Michael, M. Petrossian, 20 Rayburn Road, Belmont, DelRaso and her husband John; grandmother Armen, Bobby, MA 02478; St. Stephen’s Armenian to Nicholas Kenis and his wife Angela, Alysson Natalie, Patrick, Apostolic Church, 38 Elton Ave., Watertown, Kenis, Lisa Moore and her husband Dennis, Alex, Phillip, MA 02472. John DelRaso Jr., Gregory Pugh Jr., Rachel Pugh and her fiancé Kyle and Matthew Pugh; great-grandmother to Cecily and Alexandra Kenis and Gino and Giada Moore. She was pre- deceased by her brothers, Dickran and Jacob Esther ‘Stitch’ Vosgerchian Pamboukian. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dance Instructor, Active in Community Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, funeral ser- vices will be private. She will be laid to rest in DEARBORN, Mich. — Esther “Stitch” participated in the AYF Olympics. the Sabounjian family plot at Ridgelawn Vosgerchian passed away peacefully in her sleep She was involved with fundraising and event Cemetery in Watertown. Social distancing will on the morning of November 11, 2020 at her planning for many important causes, and apply. residence, American House, in Dearborn served on various committees, where her hard Arrangements by Aram Bedrosian Funeral Heights, at the work and organization skills served others well. Home, Watertown. age of 97. She was the daughter of the late Ohannes A beloved and Kegoohie Vosgerchian; sister of the late teacher of Roxie Vosgerchian and the late Dr. Aram Armenian danc- “Buzz” Vosgerchian; aunt of Lynn ing to genera- Marentette, Karen and Gregory tions of people, Vosgerchian. She also leaves behind six great- Stitch is remem- nieces and nephews, one great-nephew, a bered as a “big number of cousins and many other relatives F UNERAL H OME sister” by many. and friends. Giragosian In recent Funeral services took place at St. Sarkis James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC years, Stitch was Armenian Apostolic Church, Dearborn, on Mark J. Giragosian on the Board of November 17, with Fr. Hrant Kevorkian officiat- Funeral Counselors Nor Keghi helping raise funds for the Arakelyan ing. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Kindergarten School in Nor Keghi, Armenia. Detroit. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com She was active in the Armenian Youth Arrangements were made by the Simon Federation (AYF) and, in her younger years, Javizian Funeral Directors.

Telephone (617) 924-7400 D ENNIS M. D EVENEY & S ONS Aram Bedrosian Cemetery Monuments Funeral Home, Inc. Specializing in Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Armenian Designs and Lettering MARION BEDROSIAN 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living Fresno State Recipe Armenian Corner Series Publishes by Christine Vartanian Datian The Armenians Armenian Of Musa Dagh Stuffed Meat FRESNO — Armenian Studies Program Director Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian announced the publication of Dr. Vahram Balls Shemmassian’s The Armenians of Musa Dagh: From Obscurity to Genocide Resistance and From In The Vintage Kitchen Fame 1840-1915, Volume II in the Armenian Series of The Press at California State This recipe was originally published in the University, Fresno. 1971 edition of The Armenians of Musa Dagh is a compre- International Cook Book, and was reprinted on hensive history of the people of Musa Dagh, January 8, 2020 at In The Vintage Kitchen food who rose to prominence with their resistance to blog. the Genocide in 1915. Shemmassian, has pre- “Armenia is the birthplace of the apricot and sented a thorough analysis of the social, eco- home to the oldest winery in the world, dating nomic, religious, educational, and political his- back 6,000 years,” says Katherine Barber at the tory of the six villages which constituted In The Vintage Kitchen food blog. “Yerevan pre- Armenian Musa Dagh. His work focuses on the dates Rome, and is considered one of the oldest important period of the mid-19th to the early inhabited capital cities in the world. Armenia’s 20th century, offering the reader a previously traditional cuisine has been influenced and unavailable insight into the people whose courage and persistence ultimately led to their PHOTO AND RECIPE ARE COURTESY OF IN THE VINTAGE KITCHEN. successful self-defense. “The Armenians of Musa Dagh is an impor- tant addition to the Armenian Series,” said Der Mugrdechian, general editor of the Armenian Series. “Dr. Shemmassian’s meticulous study is significant in that it brings to light much of the history of Musa Dagh in the late 19th to early 20th century.” Shemmassian, whose roots go back to Musa Dagh, for the first time in any language, pro- vides a clear view of the complex multi-faceted Ruben Giney history of the region in seven chapters and an epilogue. The last chapter, in particular, is an 80-page treatment of the Genocide resistance, enhanced by its surrounding neighbors, giving including its widespread coverage in the con- Armenian cuisine a blend of Russian, Turkish, Armenian Quest in China temporary international press. Georgian and Mediterranean flavors Our mis- The book demonstrates that this was a peri- sion at In The Vintage Kitchen is to bring new YEREVAN / SHANGHAI — Film od of great change, during which the Musa life to old recipes, forgotten cookbooks, historic By Artsvi Bakhchinyan director, actor, researcher and Dagh Armenians transitioned from an isolated kitchen tools, and basic cooking techniques writer Ruben Giney (Gasparyan) and largely unknown people to a collectivity Special to the Mirror-Spectator from the 1800’s to the 1970’s. We learn about started making movies when he was that prepared to defend its national identity and food, where it came from, and how it came to be 5. His first 8mm film was screened rights against an increasingly discriminatory in our lives today,” she adds. at the Moscow Children’s Film Festival. Before graduating from high school, he and oppressive . This version of the popular Armenian stuffed started attending the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema. Shemmassian’s work reveals much information meatball or kufta (or kufteh) is made with lamb In 2002 he entered the Moscow State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK). He which has been uncovered for the first time, stuffed inside another meat ball, also made of was a junior assistant at such Russian directors as Nikita Mikhalkov and Igor based on pri- lamb, and cooked in beef broth. Each batch of Maslennikov. mary sources. meatballs, Katherine says, is made with a differ- In 2005 he moved to China, where he joined the international advertising com- The volume ent blend of ingredients – one vegetable laden, pany “Kuiyou Production House” as an artistic director. During this period, he includes 5 maps, the other grain laden. has shot more than 15 commercials for several international companies such as 14 tables, and “This recipe offers two alternatives for the Panasonic, Asahin, McDonald’s, Shiseidon, Honda and Toshiba. 162 rare photos, bulgur, couscous and quinoa, both of which are Since 2010, he has participated in the production of a number of Chinese TV providing a available in Middle Eastern markets, and both series and feature films. He is a freelance photographer for National Geographic glimpse into the substituted with the same one to one ratio. and the author of a number of scholarly articles. His films include “Black Caviar” life of the people Couscous is a small, granular pasta made of (1999), “Lower Depths” (2003), “Hernan Du Struberg” (2005), “ of Musa Dagh. semolina flour and contains gluten. Quinoa is Cultural Forum” (2008), “Cities of the World. Shanghai” (2008), “Andin. Vahram L. actually a small seed that is cooked and eaten Armenian Journey Chronicles” (2014). In 2016 he published a collection of arti- Shemmassian in a similar manner to most grains, but it's cles in Yerevan (in Russian) on Armenian-Chinese historical contacts in the Middle is Professor gluten-free and relatively high in protein.” Ages. and Director of Dear Ruben, our friendship started due to our mutual interest in Armenian- the Armenian HOMEMADE BEEF STOCK AND Chinese historical relations, so let’s start our conversation from that point. Studies Program at California State University, ARMENIAN STUFFED MEAT BALLS How did you end up in China and what has China given to you? Northridge. He holds a Ph.D. in History from There’s no getting around the fact that prepar- Usually people said that there are two types of foreigners in China; those who the University of California, Los Angeles ing this kufta is time-consuming, but the results came for a specific purpose and the others who accidentally ended up in hina. I (UCLA). His book, The Musa Dagh Armenians: are delicious, a true feast for any occasion. suppose I belong to the second type. Many years ago I came to A Socioeconomic and Cultural History, 1919- to make a short feature film as a part of my university work, and I met director 1939, was published in 2015 by the Haigazian Homemade Beef Stock of major commercial company in Shanghai. Mr. Yansan had a short conversation University Press in Beirut. He has given many 4-5 lbs. beef short ribs or beef soup bones with me and invited me to work with him. I thought he might be joking, since I lectures and organized and participated in 2 leeks, trimmed, split and washed well was only 18, but the director was quite serious. I returned to Moscow and a cou- international academic conferences. He has also 2 medium carrots, trimmed and scraped ple of months later eventually decided to move to China. At that time, I did not published scholarly articles in peer-reviewed 2 medium ribs celery, cut in half know anyone in China, I could not speak any Chinese, my English also was not journals, as well as book chapters on the fate of 1 medium onion stuck with two cloves good enough. But I was young and fearless. Now I speak Chinese, but I am afraid Armenian Genocide survivors in the Middle 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried I am not as brave as before. China and Chinese culture have given me the oppor- East between the two World Wars. He has thyme tunity to understand the spirit of the Orient. I grew up in Shanghai and absorbed received a number of awards for his academic Salt to taste Asian views on life itself. As an Armenian I used to express my emotions, show endeavors, dissemination of Armenian culture, 1 teaspoon peppercorns anger or dissatisfaction with someone, but in China all these expressions are and community involvement. see CHINA, page 14 Copies of The Armenians of Musa Dagh are Place the beef short ribs in a large kettle and available from: Abril Bookstore or the National cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and Association for Armenian Studies & Research. see MEATBALLS, page 14 14 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

pen both are for creating a story, nothing more. Different tools with one goal - try get Armenian Quest in China the access to the audience or reader’s heart. Make him listen to you, trust you and follow you. And never let him down. You are very active in organizing aid to CHINA, from page 13 the next two years researching in numerous torical characters such as Richard Sorge, the recent war in Armenia. considered a weakness. At the beginning, I did libraries, archives, private collections. I met Stalin, sometimes foreigners get the role of With the unexpected outbreak of the war, not understand well, but over the years I hundreds of interesting people worldwide American soldiers during the Second World all Armenians living in China expressed a finally have managed to understand how to who somehow were connected with these War, or portraying The White Movement desire to help. As a member of the council of behave right in this society. And the disci- subject. I met Prof. Armen Baibourtian, who Russian soldiers in China at the first quarter Armenian Community of China “Chinahay,” pline. The high value of discipline in China is Council General in Los Angeles now. I met of the 20th century. I got several roles, once my colleagues and I started to act immedi- has made me extra organized and serious Prof. Ina McCabe and Edmund Herzig, both it was Georgian communist Vissarion ately. Within a day the community board towards some things, especially in work and experts in the trading network and Lominadze in Chinese picture “Winds and organized fundraising for Himnadram in our education. I am really grateful for these traits special dialect of New Julfan Armenian lan- Clouds in 1927.” That was fun and most of all homeland Armenia. While realizing that we that China has taught me. guage. I dined with legendary professor I learned that being an actor is a stunning live in one of the most productive countries Many would like to know: why this name, Alexander Wang Zhi Cheng, who spent his opportunity to create a character, a person in the world, we began to collect essential Giney? entire life studying Russian and Armenian on the screen right from your own life expe- items for the front and the army. The first Names in Chinese culture are not constant. immigrant life in Northern and Central Some people change their names several China, I learn a lot from Prof. Paul Arthur times during their lives. In my case the rules Van Dyke from University. Later I of cinema came into force when Chinese char- made the acquaintance of two marvelous acters were not able to transliterate my ladies - Liz Chater, a distant relative of Armenian name “Gasparyan.” That would famous Paul Chater, and Nadia Wright the require four or five Chinese characters, author of academic books on the Armenians though usually Chinese names use only 3. I in and . had to change my name accordingly to be This was a very interesting period of col- able to sign contracts after my arrival to fit in lecting materials, books, maps, images. In the in the industry. People should not be sur- last nine years I have collected three million prised that some authorities, even the police, digital and physical data on the Armenian require foreigners to take Chinese names. history in China, India and South-East . That is completely legal. Hence Ruben Giney But the main adventure began of course was born. when I started filming in early 2012. For The association with Armenian gini three years myself and my shooting crew (wine) was intentional? from different countries visited 11 countries I wanted to keep my initials as well, and (including India, , China, Armenia, tried not to lose the connection with my , , Russia, France). It was homeland even in the name. another huge step of this project. I am very So far your most significant film project proud that we were able to finish the film has been “Andin: Armenian Journey with some academic publications and valu- Chronicles,” about the Armenian presence able findings, such as 19th century Russian in the Far East from early ages until the explorer in Central Asia, Pantusov’s grave- rience and painful memories. But above all, two shipments were sent at once. Now the early 1800s. It is an unprecedented docu- stone with the Armenian inscriptions on it as a director, I learned how crucial is to give community is preparing a large cargo with mentary on Armenian history that you have dated 1323 AD. Eventually the cinema ver- the actors more freedom on the shooting set. special items for civilian and non-civilian use. made in 11 countries. Please tell us about sion of “Andin” documentary was shown in Before that I was tyrant director, now I am a Every single Armenian in China and our that big adventure of yours. various countries, but the TV-Series has more kind of listener. Chinese relatives and friends, are deeply con- Spending many years in China, I came never been released. And most of materials Being from the writers’ family — grand- cerned about what is going in Artsakh right across some astonishing evidence on had never been showed to anyone. son of well-known Armenian writer Ruben now. We all stand together. We all have no Armenian presence in this corner of the The great research work you have done Hovsepyan and son of Lilit Hovsepyan, the doubts in victory. world. One day I read a paper about the for- made you a specialist in this field. Don’t you chief editor of Nork literary magazine, no Your restless nature should guide you to eigners who dressed like Armenians to get wish to continue the subject? wonder you also write, although in Russian, other endeavors. access in Ming Dynasty China. Later I found I must confess, that being a film director is that are translated into Armenian, Chinese There are some things that have always out that in the central park of Shanghai not my only desire. From early childhood and English. What concerns Ruben Giney piqued my curiosity, such as mycology, the there is the grave of a little 5-year-old filmmaking and an interest in archeology and the writer? study of fungi. Many years I turned one of my Armenian boy. Nobody could explain the history were my passions. Sometimes people Time. Time itself. The evolution of a per- rooms into a home lab, and from time to time story behind this tombstone. Nobody knew do not understand how I can be a feature film son, a human being, from his childhood to I continue research in this field cooperating who this little boy was, and why he had died director, a showman and professional histori- the oldness. I presume the time has mon- with international organizations. Fungi are at such a young age. Later I learned about an at the same time. But I kept my options strous influence on us every single second. unique organism on our planet, especially the the famous Nestorian Stele preserved in the open all my life and I really do not see any And the same time, you never can catch the mold, which is barely studied even in the con- Xi’an Museum, that has typical Armenian contradictions here. If I am not involved in moment. One second could be devastating, text of the 21st century. These organisms and “kenac car” (tree of life) holy cross depicted film shooting I rather continue doing my five minutes can create a great Idea, that their toxic compounds might provide a huge at the top. The last bit of proof was the researches. Cultural exchange, History of the could change the world or that could make amount of new type of medicine for example. Western medieval coins collection at the Silk Road, Early Christianity in China and the world better or destroy entire city. I keep My other desire is to cross the Northern Shanghai Museum presented by Linda and History of trade are in the main foci of my in mind the image of a man, who was literal- branch of Takla-makan Desert in western Roger Doo. I was standing there alone, and studies. The year 2020 was a pretty tough ly erased within a second in Hiroshima when China, which was used as one of the Silk looking at these coins glimmering in the year for the film industry worldwide, so that A-bomb fell on the city. The person vanished, Road routes. While making the documentary darkness, coins so familiar to me from my is why I am about to publish my new book on only indistinct shadow left on the ground. film eight years ago my crew and I have childhood. There was a coin of Parthian Armeno-Chinese relations. That is the rare point when you can catch the already crossed that route from Xi’an via kings Vardanes, Shapur, Narseh and Tirdates. You acted in some Chinese films – I time. See its devastating power. I am deeply Dunhuang, Aksu to the Urumqi. But we were Those coins hypnotized me. Suddenly I clear- assume Chinese-speaking European actors concerned with time problem, maybe these in hurry, and I remember a thousand aban- ly understood that I must find out all that is are in demand in China. feelings go along with my possession with doned , and medieval city outlines possible about the . Like many filmmakers around the world, filmmaking and history. Trying to catch the under the sand. That mysterious land beck- Literally everything, every bit of information. Chinese cinema also requires foreigners for history with the help of camera at least for a ons me; one day I will definitely return there I became obsessed with this idea and spent the screen. Especially when it comes to his- bit longer. To me the camera and the writer with a new expedition.

onions and cook over low heat for 20-30 min- Drop meatballs into boiling stock and cook Armenian Stuffed Meat Balls utes, stirring occasionally. Add the green pep- for 10 minutes or until meat balls come to the per, parsley, and mint, and cook 10 minutes. surface. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain Add salt and pepper, and simmer for 5 minutes. excess liquid. Keep warm until all are cooked. MEATBALLS, from page 13 Chill stuffing for at least 2 hour or longer. After This dish is traditionally served with rice or bul- blanch about 5-10 minutes, then drain and run For the meatballs: it is chilled, shape into the size of marbles gur pilaf or in a shallow bowl of broth like a under cold water. Return beef short ribs to the 1 lb. very lean ground lamb (about 1 teaspoonful for each). soup. kettle, and add remaining ingredients. Add 1 cup fine bulgur (cracked wheat) or 1 cup To make meatballs, combine the meat, bul- Serve with pita bread, yogurt, hummus, and more cold water to cover, and simmer, uncov- quinoa or 1 cup couscous gur, salt, pepper, onions, and parsley and knead garnish with lemon wedges and sprigs of pars- ered, for about 3 hours. Skim surface as the Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste mixture as you would dough, adding a few ley. (Made smaller and in the shape of mini-foot- stock cooks to remove fat and scum. Strain and 1 small onion, finely chopped drops of water as you go along. Knead mixture balls, these meatballs may be fried and served set aside. 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley well for 20 minutes until mixture is like a medi- as appetizers.) Water um soft dough. Makes 22-24 meatballs. Armenian Stuffed Meat Balls 4 cups boiling beef stock Dip hands in a bowl of cold water and make For the stuffing (filling): balls the size of walnuts. Make a dent in the 1 lb. lean ground lamb Note: Other traditional seasonings for this middle of each ball with your thumb and press For this recipe, go to: 4 medium onions, sliced or diced recipe may include: cumin, coriander, allspice, all around the inside wall to make a round 1/4 teaspoon chopped mint, to taste to the stuffing. and bring the edges together to close. Smooth https://inthevintagekitchen.com/2020/01/ 1 teaspoon salt To make the stuffing, sauté the lamb over surface with wet fingers, and flatten slightly by 08/the-international-vintage-recipe- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add the gently pressing between the palms. tour-week-1-armenian-stuffed-meat-balls/ S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

EDITORIAL Mirror Armenia and Armenians at Spectator A Watershed Armenia, and ripe to veer into uncharted territory. By Edmond Y. Azadian The mob which was chanting “Serzhik Out” in Freedom Square a couple of years ago is now gathering to shout “Nikol Out.” Many discharged or AWOL soldiers have EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 The fall of Nagorno Karabakh is a defining moment in returned from the battlefield with their weapons. The situa- AnAn ADL ADL Publication Publication Armenian history. Almost a century ago, Turkey struck a suf- tion is very volatile and a spark can trigger civil unrest. ficiently powerful blow to the Armenians to grieve for one Groups from the former regime who were swept out of power hundred and five years and recover gradually. have been joining the mob to take advantage of the chaos. It looks like the leadership of the current government of Former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has raised the EDITOR Turkey has decided that the time has come to cause another alarm and called for calm to steer away from civil war. Alin K. Gregorian calamity for the Armenians to deal with for the next few Incidentally, the first president feels today that history has decades. vindicated him. ASSISTANT EDITOR Before we delve into self-flagellation, we need to place the After the ceasefire of 1994, when large swathes of Aram Arkun Karabakh war and the November 10, 2020 peace agreement Azerbaijani territory came under Armenian control, Ter- ART DIRECTOR into the perspective of regional developments and crosscur- Petrosyan proposed to cut a deal while in a position of power. Marc Mgrditchian rents of major powers. He warned that time was against Armenians and whatever Since the beginning of the conflict over the fate of deals that the Armenian side could seal with Baku might not Karabakh (Artsakh) some three decades ago, the major world be attainable at a later time. powers warned that there is no military solution to the prob- He was called a traitor and was deposed before he com- lem, which had been relegated to the Organization for pleted his second term as president. SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to resolve. In Today, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in the same hot Edmond Y. Azadian the process of dealing with the issue, the co-chairs of the seat for delivering territories and getting nothing in return. OSCE Minsk Group, tasked specifically with the problem, Defections from the parliament, the government and army CONTRIBUTORS: tried to keep the developments under control to make sure are taking place at a dizzying pace and Pashinyan’s circle of Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun that no major power took advantage of the situation and supporters is narrowing and leaving him isolated before a Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, derived dividends at the expense of the stakeholders in the Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, furious mob. He remains defiant but not for long. At a recent Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, problem. Naomi Zeytoonian But the war that was launched by Azerbaijan in CORRESPONDENTS: September 2020 at the instiga- Armenia - Hagop Avedikian tion and active participation of Boston - Nancy Kalajian Turkey has resulted in the sta- Los Angeles - Taleen Babayan tioning of Russian peacekeep- Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach ers on Azerbaijan’s territory, Contributing Photographers: outside the control of the Jirair Hovsepian OSCE format. However, the peace agree- ment signed on November 10 reflects all the elements of The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published Russian Foreign Minister weekly, except two weeks in July and the first week of the year, by: Sergey Lavrov’s plans and more. Indeed, except for a brief Association, Inc. period at the negotia- 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 tions in 2001, the southern tip Telephone: 617-924-4420 of Armenia’s territory was not FAX: 617-924-2887 on the negotiation table. www.mirrorspectator.com While the international com- E-Mail: [email protected] munity was under the impres- For advertising: [email protected] sion that President Vladimir Putin of Russia had outsmart- ed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey in the deal, the power play between Russia and Turkey performed in Syria SUBSCRIPTION RATES: and Libya was reenacted in the Caucasus, bringing Turkish forces into Azerbaijani territory U.S.A. $80 a year to face Russian peacekeeping forces. Canada $125 a year The Russian action and Other Countries $190 a year Turkish reaction catapulted the conflict to the world stage, marginalizing Azerbaijan’s vic- © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator tory and Armenia’s defeat. At Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA this time, Armenia’s humanitar- and additional mailing offices. ian catastrophe has been side- lined as the Russo-Turkish confrontation takes center stage. session of the parliament he stated that he is not ready to ISSN 0004-234X Criticism by French President Emmanuel Macron of resign until he can see a mechanism through which the peo- Turkey’s jihadist exploits and the OSCE co-chairs’ moves to ple’s voice may be heard in an orderly, constitutional way. have a say in the new developments offered little consolation If true, that matches perfectly with the proposal which POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn for the Armenian side. President Armen Sarkissian made in a speech on November St., Watertown, MA 02472 The above developments manifest the broader contours of 16. Thus far, the president has been overshadowed. The con- Other than the editorial, views and opinions the conflict. Armenians are left alone to lick their wounds stitution had reduced his office to a figurehead. Sometimes, expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily and bury their dead and above all, to put their house in even the most pedestrian functions of protocol were denied reflect the policies of the publisher. order. him. Sarkissian’s reputation as a world-class scientist and his The catastrophe befallen on the Armenians will be ampli- political and business contacts were untapped. Unlike fied if confusion, recriminations and senseless actions con- Pashinyan, he knows how to listen to people and draw his tinue. own conclusions. Ever since November 10, he has been meet- During World War I, the Ottoman Empire collapsed, but ing with political parties, inside and outside the government. soon after, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was able to resurrect a Copying for other than personal use or He has come to the conclusion that Pashinyan and his gov- internal reference is prohibited without modern republic out of the ashes. Similarly, World War II ernment have to resign and an interim leadership has to express permission of the copyright devastated , but Conrad Adenauer performed the organize snap elections in an orderly fashion. owner. Address requests for reprints or economic miracle of Europe. Thus far, his deceptively mild manners had created the back issues to: Rather than lamenting and fingerpointing, Armenia needs impression that he was not capable of taking resolute action. a sober and wise voice to pull the entire nation out of mis- However, he has proven himself as a father figure who can ery. build consensus. Neither members in the Pashinyan group Baikar Association, Inc. see EDITORIAL, page 17 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA At this time, the political atmosphere is overheated in 02472-1509 16 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY A Closer Look at the Trilateral Agreement to End War

By Philippe Raffi Kalfayan Closer Analysis fixed in the 1996 OSCE Lisbon Summit: “territorial integrity of Special to the Mirror-Spectator This document, whose terms are reproduced above, is a state- the Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Republic; legal sta- ment and not an agreement. However, the word “shall,” when it tus of Nagorno-Karabakh defined in an agreement based on While this column always tends to be relates to evacuation of some territories or positions, contra- self-determination which confers on Nagorno-Karabakh the analytical in approach, this current one dicts its political declarative value. As the "treaty" will shortly highest degree of self-rule within Azerbaijan; guaranteed secu- will focus in minute detail on the agree- be enforced, not due to its legal force, but by the will of the par- rity for Nagorno-Karabakh and its whole population, including ment whose signing Prime Minister Nikol ties, it thus leads to transfer of territories to Azerbaijan. It will mutual obligations to ensure compliance by all the Parties with Pashinyan announced on November 10 to establish a new factual situation that can only be restored the provisions of the settlement.” end aggression by Azerbaijan and Turkey in Karabakh through war. Signatory Power (Artsakh, NKR). The three signatories are Armenia, Azerbaijan In addition, there is no reference at all to the Organization for It is significant that the signature constitutes the first means and Russia. The shock waves are still reverberating in Armenia. Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group and of expressing consent to be bound cited by Article 11 of the It is submitted in this legal opinion that: its negotiation processes. The latter has been tasked with find- Vienna Convention. In addition, under Article 12: “1. The con- 1. The statement is only of political nature, and not of a legal ing a solution for the final status of Artsakh for decades. sent of a State to be bound by a treaty is expressed by the sig- one; it is therefore not legally binding (International Court of Of great importance, there is no mention of future discus- nature of the representative of that State: “(A) when the treaty Justice (ICJ), Bolivia v. , 2018). It all depends in this regard sions regarding the final status of the territories remaining provides that the signature will have that effect; “(B) where it is on the wording of the text; under NKR administration (as did President Emmanuel Macron otherwise established that the negotiating States had agreed 2. Since the referral to the Parliament is not foreseen in the of France in his declaration regarding the end of the war.) that the signature would have that effect; or “(C) when the statement, it tends to confirm that it is not a legal agreement, If NKR remains an enclave, the lives of its Armenian inhabi- intention of the State to give that effect to the signature but only a political declaration; tants will remain under threat. Due to the continuous and appears from the full powers of its representative or was 3. This is confirmed by Armenian domestic law: an agreement recently reinforced racial hatred, the Armenians will live in dan- expressed during the negotiation; "2. For the purposes of para- of that type, dealing with military and territorial questions, if it ger. What if one of the parties decides to terminate the man- graph 1: “(A) the initialing of a text constitutes a signature of were to have legal effects, it would then have had to go to date of the Russian peacekeeping force (Item 4 of the the treaty when it is established that the negotiating States had Parliament; Declaration)? NKR Armenians are condemned to isolation and so agreed; 4. Assuming it is a legal agreement, hence it would be invalid oppression if there is no Armenian sovereign or secure link No mention is made in the statement about all those required for reasons exposed herein below; between NKR and Armenia. The territory may deplete quite provisions to validate the consent of the Armenian State. 5. The scope of the political statement is a violation of the rapidly. The determination of the competent authority to negotiate is three principles agreed by all parties so far in the Minsk Process NKR Armenians may be obliged to re-establish themselves in a matter for the constitutional law of each state and it is the for settlement of the conflict; Armenia, despite their ancestral and rural roots, leaving behind authority which is invested by the state constitution that has the 6. The circumstances of the “statement” signature question the previous generations whose graves dot the land. But, in the power to appoint and provide plenipotentiaries with full powers. its validity too. long run, this unfair situation sows the seeds of future wars It is usually the Executive that is conferred these full powers. Text of the Statement despite the demographic imbalance to the detriment of However, the question is not relevant here since, in interna- Statement by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prime Armenians. tional law, the signature of the Prime Minister () Minister of the Republic of Armenia and President of the The statement is more than a cease-fire; it speaks of “regions” engages the Republic of Armenia, but again from a pure politi- Russian Federation in general terms but does not fix territorial delimitations. That cal perspective, and not a legal perspective. November 10, 2020 11:45 pm vagueness tends to prove that the “statement“ is not enforce- Indeed, the ICJ relied on Article 7 of the Vienna Convention (Kremlin official translation) able as it is; it requires a proper legal agreement to be conclud- to recall that “[c] in accordance with international law, there is ed, with the borders of the regions concerned. no doubt that any head of state is presumed to be able to act We, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, The agreement is oriented to the advantage of Turkey and on behalf of the State in its international relations (see ICJ, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan economically, since no compensation is mentioned Application for Revision of the Judgment of 11 July 1996 in the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, state the either for Armenia or for the Russian Federation; The South Case concerning Application of the Convention on the following: corridor opens the road for Turkish influence in the Eastern Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia 1. A complete ceasefire and termination of all hostilities in Caucasus and Central Asia. and Herzegovina v. Yugoslavia), Preliminary Objections the area of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is declared starting Armenia does not get anything in exchange for this Turk- (Yugoslavia v. )Application of the 12:00 am (midnight) Moscow time on November 10, 2020. The Azerbaijani route (Nakhichevan, similarly Armenian in origin, Genocide Convention). Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, here- which became an exclave of Azerbaijan, is now wiped clean of Legal Validity of Treaty inafter referred to as the “Parties,” shall stop in their current its past during its century under their rule, to the point that it In the present case, the validity of the Treaty may be in ques- positions. is a military outpost of Turkey), not even the opening of borders tion from a constitutional standpoint in Armenia if it may be 2. The District shall be returned to the Republic of with Turkey. proven that the exception prescribed in the article 46 of the Azerbaijan by November 20, 2020. And last, but not the least, this agreement does not mention Vienna Convention of the Law of Treaties is applicable. 3. The peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation, name- the right to self-determination of the Armenians of Artsakh. Article 46 (Provisions of internal law regarding competence ly, 1,960 troops armed with firearms, 90 armored vehicles and Neither the Republic of Armenia, nor the other parties, has the to conclude treaties) writes: “1. A State may not invoke the fact 380 motor vehicles and units of special equipment shall be right to decide upon the territorial status of the NKR. This that its consent to be bound by a treaty has been expressed in deployed along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh and omission of their voice confirms that this statement is at best a violation of a provision of its internal law regarding competence along the Lachin Corridor. political agreement, but not a treaty within the meaning of to conclude treaties as invalidating its consent unless that vio- 4. The peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation shall be international law. Armenia had just a mandate to negotiate the lation was manifest and concerned a rule of its internal law of deployed concurrently with the withdrawal of the Armenian cease-fire and the intervention of Russian peacekeeping forces fundamental importance.” troops. The peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation will to stop the bloodshed. The treaty according to the must be be deployed for five years, a term to be automatically extended Ceasefire or Peace Agreement? ratified by the Parliament and then be referred to the for subsequent five-year terms unless either party notifies about A ceasefire consists of an agreement organizing the cessation Constitutional Court for a control of constitutionality. its intention to terminate this clause six months before the expi- of all military activity for a given time in a given space. It can The Item 1 of Article 116 of the Republic of Armenia ration of the current term. be declared unilaterally or it can be negotiated among the par- Constitution (Ratification, Suspension or Revocation of 5. For more efficient monitoring of the Parties’ fulfillment of ties to a conflict. It is also sometimes referred to as an armistice, International Treaties) writes: “The National Assembly shall rat- the agreements, a peacekeeping center shall be established to although the two mean slightly different things. An armistice is ify, suspend and revoke international treaties: (1) which con- oversee the ceasefire. a military convention which provides for the suspension of hos- cern the basic rights and freedoms of the human being and the 6. The Republic of Armenia shall return the Kelbajar District tilities throughout the theatre of war, often for an indefinite citizen, as well as obligations thereof; (2) which have a political to the Republic of Azerbaijan by November 15, 2020, and the period. A ceasefire and an armistice should not be confused or military nature…”. Lachin District by December 1, 2020. The Lachin Corridor (5 with a peace agreement. They do not mean the end of hostili- Moreover the item 3 of this article writes that “International km wide), which will provide a connection between Nagorno- ties but constitute a temporary truce. Furthermore, they do not treaties contradicting the Constitution may not be ratified.” Karabakh and Armenia while not passing through the territory legally end the state of war. And last, if it were to be considered a valid treaty, the circum- of Shusha, shall remain under the control of the Russian On the contrary a peace agreement clearly puts a definitive stances of the signature of the “statement” would question its Federation peacekeeping forces. end to the war. validity. It must be reminded that it was signed by Armenia for As agreed by the Parties, within the next three years, a plan The document signed is a mix of ceasefire and peace treaty. urgent humanitarian reasons. The pressure exerted by Russia will be outlined for the construction of a new route via the However, this subject matter is of minor importance and not and Azerbaijan and the threat of continued military operations, Lachin Corridor, to provide a connection between Nagorno- decisive. This argument assumes that there exists in interna- in other words under coercion by the other parties to the state- Karabakh and Armenia, and the Russian peacekeeping forces tional law legal categories defining “peace treaty” and “cease- ment, cannot be regarded as Armenia's free consent to sign the shall be subsequently relocated to protect the route. fire agreement”, which is not the case. Nothing prevents an statement; moreover, the conditions of this statement were The Republic of Azerbaijan shall guarantee the security of accord from being a mixture of the two; this does not affect the imposed by the other party as a consequence of the full violation persons, vehicles and cargo moving along the Lachin Corridor legal effect or scope of the agreement. of article 2 (items 2 and 3) of the United Nations Charter, which in both directions. The fact that there are no final clauses could be interpreted prohibit the use of force for international disputes. 7. Internally displaced persons and refugees shall return to as meaning that it is not a treaty (see for instance ICJ As a conclusion, the circumstances of the obtaining of signa- the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent areas under Somalia/, 2017). ture from Armenia, the non-respect of the right to self-determi- the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Regarding the statement signed by Armenia, there is by con- nation of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, as well as the missing Refugees. trast a plausible case to make that there is no indication at all final clauses in the document tend to question the binding 8. The Parties shall exchange prisoners of war, hostages and that Armenia considered that the statement is a binding agree- effect of the statement. other detained persons, and dead bodies. ment whose entry into force only depends on its signature. Constitutionality of the Statement 9. All economic and transport connections in the region shall Exclusion from the Minsk Process Article 168 of the Constitution stipulates the Powers of the be unblocked. The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the The Minsk format has been clearly recognized by all parties Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court, as prescribed security of transport connections between the western regions to the conflict, mediating countries and international organiza- by the Law on the Constitutional Court, shall (3) prior to the of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan tions (OSCE, UN, EU, PACE, etc.) the exclusive format for the ratification of an international treaty, determine the compliance Autonomous Republic in order to arrange unobstructed move- settlement of the dispute. The ceasefires were another example of the commitments enshrined therein with the Constitution. ment of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions. The of this acceptance (there were three previous cease-fires negoti- Meanwhile this unconstitutionality won’t cancel the fact that Border Guard Service of the Russian Federal Security Service ated successively in Moscow, Paris, and Washington, by the co- Armenia engaged itself internationally and must respect its shall be responsible for overseeing the transport connections. chairs of the Minsk Group). This agreement contradicts all the duties if it cannot be proven that article 46 of Vienna As agreed by the Parties, new transport links shall be built principles settled on by the Minsk Group co-chairs, namely Convention on the Law of Treaties is applicable. to connect the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic and the those of territorial integrity and self-determination principles. western regions of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan itself has always insisted on the three principles (Yerevan, 14 November 2020) S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

had no choice but to sign the tripartite “Statement” in order did not take Aliyev’s threats seriously. Finally, Azerbaijan to avoid the loss of more territories to Azerbaijan and save secured the support and participation of the powerful thousands of Armenian soldiers who may have been cap- Turkish military and recruited several thousand Islamist ter- tured or killed. Those supporting this point of view have rorist mercenaries to fight on its side. The highly technolog- blamed the previous presidents for enriching themselves at ical war with remote control drones and missiles devastated My Turn the expense of the nation and not strengthening the mili- the Armenian military and conquered what Armenia and tary. Pashinyan said that if he had refused to sign the Artsakh was not willing to give up, despite the heroic efforts By Harut Sassounian “Statement,” the consequence would have been much worse of the Armenian soldiers. for the Armenian nation. Azerbaijan would have taken over Therefore, rather than asking who is to blame for this fias- the rest of Artsakh. co, Armenians need to acknowledge that we paid the price ‘Statement’ on Artsakh War by Those opposed to Pashinyan’s position state that the for being unable to counter the powerful weapons of Armenia, Azerbaijan & Russia Prime Minister is merely dumping responsibility for the Azerbaijan and Turkey which has the second most powerful defeat on his predecessors. They point out that Pashinyan military in NATO. As Prime Minister Pashinyan acknowl- Should Be Rejected made the decision to sign the “Statement” unilaterally, con- edged, if he had conceded some of the territories around sulting only with the and the military Artsakh earlier, there would not have been this capitulation. The leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an leaders. Pashinyan did not inform the , However, if we had given up these areas without an agree- agreement, calling it a “Statement,” on November 9, 2020 to the Foreign Minister who just resigned or the Armenian ment on the final status of Artsakh, Azerbaijan would have stop the 45-day war in Artsakh and return to Azerbaijan the Parliament. They all found out about this ill-fated announce- then attacked and captured Artsakh itself. territories previously belonging to Armenians. ment from the media. This was not expected from a Prime There are two basic facts that we must all admit: This shocking announcement was made by Armenia’s Minister who came to power as a defender of democracy and 1) The powerful side always wins in a war, no matter how Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan creating distress and despair transparency. Not even France and the United States, the just the weaker side’s cause is. Armenians did not use the among Armenians worldwide. There are four reasons why two other mediating members of the Minsk Group, were con- last 26 years to turn Artsakh into an impenetrable fortress. Armenians reacted with such pessimism and grief: sulted. Pashinyan also did not respect the promise he had They should have had a defense system to shield Artsakh 1) After 45 days of constantly hearing from Armenian offi- made on August 17, 2018, in front of the 300,000 people at from drone attacks. cials that “We are winning,” all of a sudden we are told that the Republic Square, announcing that he “will not sign 2) When you are weak and rely on others to save you, you we have in fact suffered a devastating defeat. Even the num- secretly any paper on Artsakh.” He added that “if there is would be disappointed and defeated. Armenians kept saying ber of our dead soldiers was underreported, according to the such a situation, I will come and stand here, present to you that we were left alone. This is not surprising. All countries latest announcement of the Armenian Health Ministry. all the details, and you will decide if we are going to accept make decisions based on their own national interests. Regrettably, the final toll is expected to be in the thousands. that option or not.” Pashinyan now claims that this The “Statement” signed by Pashinyan is devastating. We 2) This was probably the greatest loss since the Armenian “Statement” is merely a ceasefire, not an agreement on the need to find a way to minimize our losses. Besides losing the Genocide 105 years ago. Armenians are demoralized and Artsakh conflict. Obviously, the signed “Statement” is much territories in and around Artsakh, we should not have deceived by their own leaders. It shook the very essence of more than a ceasefire. It is the return of the seven regions in agreed to provide a corridor through Armenia to Azerbaijan their souls. This was a humiliating capitulation. The descen- addition to giving up a large portion of Artsakh. As a result, to connect with Nakhichevan. This would allow Turkey to dants of the Armenian Genocide, who still carry in their Pashinyan’s opponents seek his resignation. cross Armenia by land and link with Azerbaijan and beyond genes the transgenerational trauma of that greatest tragedy, In my view, there is a much simpler explanation. Ever since to other Turkic . This is the realization of Turkey’s are deeply affected by this enormous defeat, exposing their the 1994 ceasefire, Armenians in and out of Armenia were Pan-Turanian dream which we should not permit at all cost. long unhealed wounds. totally opposed to returning the liberated territories to Finally, the text of the “Statement”, which is the equiva- 3) The thousands of young Armenian soldiers killed in the Azerbaijan, as were the leaders of Armenia and Artsakh. The lent of a treaty according to Armenia’s constitution, should battle have deeply saddened all Armenians. Many are won- only exception was President Levon Ter-Petrosyan who want- be submitted to Armenia’s Constitutional Court and the dering if their sacrifice was in vain. ed to make territorial concessions to Azerbaijan, as a result of Parliament for ratification. Otherwise, it would have no legal 4) Armenians lost a large portion of their historic territo- which he was forced out of office. The subsequent Presidents value. Armenia should also involve France and the United ries along with their homes, churches, monuments and of Armenia knew well that the Armenian people would not States, the other two Minsk Group of mediators, in the nego- cemeteries. Just like the effects of the Genocide a century accept any kind of territorial concessions regarding Artsakh. tiation process to get a better deal. ago are still raw in today’s generation, this latest disaster will Ever since the 1994 ceasefire, there have been dozens of fruit- Even though Pashinyan acknowledged that as have a lasting effect on the psyche of all Armenians. less meetings between the foreign ministers and heads of Commander-in-Chief he is responsible for Armenia’s defeat, A huge controversy has been raging in Armenia and the Armenia and Azerbaijan, mediated by the Minsk Group of he refuses to resign. Therefore, a should be held Diaspora after the release of this problematic “Statement.” France, Russia and the United States. The Armenian position to see if the Armenian public approves or rejects the The Armenian people, who were united like one person was that we will consider returning some of the territories “Statement.” If they reject it, Pashinyan would have no throughout the war, all of a sudden have been divided and around Artsakh, if Azerbaijan recognized Artsakh’s indepen- choice but to resign. The elected new leader, hopefully not at each other’s throats. There have been many ugly incidents dence. Armenians wanted a package deal rather than a step- one from the discredited previous regimes, would then try to in Yerevan, which will hopefully not spill into the Diaspora. by-step solution. The reason was that should Armenians give negotiate a revised agreement considering the one signed by No Armenian should commit an act of violence against any up the surrounding territories first, Azerbaijan would then be the ousted Pashinyan to be null and void. This option, how- other Armenian or destroy any property. Even though we in a position to take over Artsakh itself. ever, carries the risk of a fresh attack on Artsakh by have a very serious problem, attacking each other will not In the meantime, Armenians and the rest of the world Azerbaijan. solve anything. At the same time, those who are engaged in repeatedly stated that there is no military solution to the I hope Armenia’s new leaders will go through this trau- peaceful protests in Yerevan should be allowed to do so with- Artsakh conflict which should be resolved through peaceful matic experience with sound judgment and concentrate out any harassment by the government. People’s right to free negotiations. However, President Aliyev kept threatening to their energies on building a powerful military so they can speech should be respected especially by a leader who came use military force to recover the lost territories. Using its counter any future attacks by Azerbaijan and Turkey. Finally, to power touting democratic rights and values. huge oil income, Azerbaijan bought billions of dollars of this is the right time for Armenia to recognize Artsakh’s The next controversy is identifying those responsible for sophisticated weapons from , Russia and others. independence or its unification with Armenia, thereby intro- this debacle. Here again we have two opposing camps. Prime Armenia also bought some weapons, but did not have the ducing an unexpected new factor in the negotiations with Minister Pashinyan and his supporters acknowledge that he resources to match Azerbaijan’s military buildup. Armenians Azerbaijan. Armenia and Armenians at a Watershed

EDITORIAL, from page 15 Armenia. That image is also reflected in the Armenia should not only develop its arse- This time around, Armenia has to turn the nor the members of the former government diaspora. Incidentally, who represents the nal of drones which gave the decisive edge to tables and set its own demands. Thus far, can garner a majority at this stage. diaspora? Where is the diaspora’s voice? The Turkey and Azerbaijan, but it has to look Yerevan has proposed to resume diplomatic Only when a government of national diaspora is also in shambles. Once a govern- beyond to the next generation of weapons relations without preconditions. Today, it has accord takes the reins of power can the ardu- ment of national reconciliation takes power and even a nuclear option should be on the to propose conditions: recognition of the ous task of recovery begin. in Armenia, that will inspire the direction of table. Genocide and proper reparations. Turkey is The first order on the agenda is the inter- the diaspora. Armenia does not threaten any nation but very vulnerable to the issue of the Armenian pretation and implementation of the peace Recently, the diaspora was able to create it has to seek the ultimate weapon for its sur- Genocide, and that is why Erdogan is spend- agreements. As bad as the deal is, there are by default, driven by the sole vival, without apologies. ing millions to form government commissions many ill-defined clauses and loopholes. It is and urgent need of helping the homeland. As the geography and demography change to deny the Genocide. It is to Yerevan’s well said that the devil is in the details. But This time around, the challenge of the recov- in the region, so will its politics. Thus far, advantage to keep Turkey on the defensive. in this case, we may also discover some life- ery will be even greater to cement that unity Turkey had conditioned the lifting of the Besides, if the borders are opened, Turkish saving angels in those murky details. across the diaspora. blockade of Armenia with the resolution of goods will flood the Armenian markets and The agreement is already under the scruti- Unfortunately, diasporan resources will not the Karabakh conflict in Azerbaijan’s favor. Armenian tourists will flock to Turkish ny of international law experts who may be sufficient to launch an economic recovery. Now that its condition is met, Turkey will try beaches. What does Armenia have to sell to extract some favorable deals for the Armenia. Appeals have to be extended to friendly to reap dividends by playing the good guy in Turkey? The most urgent challenge is determining the major countries and international agencies front of the international community. We have to be forewarned by ’s status of Karabakh because that will give for assistance as well as investments. Turkey has mastered the art of invading example. Turkey has colonized Georgia eco- assurance to the refugees to return home. Facing the pandemic is another challenge and benefitting. It invaded Syria and killed nomically and politically under the guise of During these uncertain and fluid times, the which can only be met after economic recov- thousands of innocent people and displaced investments. Being colonized by Turkey is greatest number possible of refugees have to ery. four million people and then Erdogan played the last thing Armenia needs. return to Karabakh. The depopulation of the With Turkey’s presence in the region, insta- the part of patron saint of refugees and Armenia, Karabakh and the diaspora are at enclave will surrender those lands to the bility will be there for the long haul. That will bilked billions of dollars in subsidies from a historic watershed. The Karabakh defeat same fate as , with no resi- require Armenia to rebuilt its armed forces to Europe to meet the needs of those refugees. has to serve as a bitter lesson to propel dent population to fight for self-determina- be ready for future wars. In addition, a strong will try to apply the same policy to Armenians forward to a more promising tion. army will also deter possible future aggres- Armenia, proposing to lift the blockade as a future. Currently, the situation is in turmoil in sion by Azerbaijan. favor. 18 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY Leftovers of the Sword and Stop the Blame The Big Ideas of the World

understand why we care so much about a Game By Harry Kezelian historical event that happened 100 years ago. Many of us had even begun to relegate Special to the Mirror-Spectator the issue to a back burner. Some of us were well settled in the Diaspora and concerned By Raffi Bedrosyan Sirvart-Auntie was a “leftover of the with American politics, for example. Others sword.” This remarkable woman, a native of insisted that the current well-being of the T HAS BEEN A WEEK since the statement signed by Presidents Vladimir Putin Fenesse, Turkey, and a survivor of the Republic of Armenia was more important and Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan announcing the ceasefire in the Armenian genocide, was the reason my than “all that Genocide stuff.” The Ottoman Artsakh war. I am sure most Armenians in Armenia, Artsakh and the diaspora were great-grandmother, Vartanoush Kezelian, Empire seemed like something unreal and utterly shocked and devastated, as the official Armenian Ministry of Defense her fellow survivor and sister-in-law, made it belonging to a vanished 19th-century updates until the previous day still gave upbeat reports about the heroic defense of to America. Sirvart Kerkorian, who was world. We became complacent about Artsakh by the Armenian forces against all odds, against a combined army of always referred to with the Armeno-English Genocide recognition. Azerbaijanis, Turks and jihadists which had manpower and resources at least five construction “Sirvart-Auntie,” was deeply We were wrong to become complacent. I times larger. Although we do not know the exact details yet, Shushi fell, unfortu- respected by the succeeded generation of Not because there is a real possibility of nately resulting in potentially immense vulnerability for the rest of Artsakh and the the family for her bravery and for her role regaining Western Armenia or Cilicia. Not Armenian soldiers. Under the circumstances, agreeing to a ceasefire secured by Russian in our move to the New World and to because there is really any possibility of peacekeepers saved the rest of Artsakh and the army, but with harsh conditions difficult Detroit in particular. But few people knew reparations. We were wrong, rather, to accept by the Armenians. the literal scar she carried on her back her because Turkey is unrepentant. Turkey and As soon as the ceasefire conditions became known, the initial shock was quickly entire life. Turkish society have not owned up to what replaced with a vicious blame game to find a culprit for the lost war. Seventeen political Last spring, President Erdogan of Turkey their ancestors did. Yet, many, I would dare organizations immediately started blaming Pashinyan and demanded his resignation, made headlines when he openly used the say most of them, actually do know that it labelling him a “traitor” and “land giver.” Protesters attacked the Parliament, severely derogatory phrase “kilic artigi” or “leftover happened. Certainly their leadership does. beating up the president of the National Assembly. of the sword”, a reference to Greeks, And to continue to deny something that Government spokespersons blamed the protesters for not joining the war effort and not Assyrians, and especially Armenians who you know happened is to justify it. To use going to the front. The Artsakh president and the minister of defense blamed the lack of had escaped the Ottoman scimitar during “leftover of the sword” as a derogatory men and resources. Pashinyan blamed the previous government leaders for bribery and 1915 and the ensuing years of massacre in term is not even to deny it anymore – it is corruption, ‘eating’ the resources instead of strengthening the army. Several people the WWI era. The connotation of the term is to justify it. To say they were right to kill blamed the previous government leaders for not negotiating seriously, not acknowledging to degrade Armenians and other Christians Armenians with the sword. To say they that the ‘liberated’ or ‘occupied’ territories would be given away sooner or later in return still living in Turkey as some kind of “infidel were right to cut down Sirvart-Auntie with for some security guarantee for Artsakh. Some analysts blamed Pashinyan for appearing trash” who had survived the death by sword the sword. And it is also to say that any- anti-Russian, and for provoking Azerbaijanis even more by stating “Artsakh is Armenian, that the Ottoman Turks inflicted on their thing Turkey, and by extension, Azerbaijan full stop.” Others blamed the minister of defense for boasting that “the next war will not Christian subjects. Erdogan associated the does in their national interest is justified, be to exchange territories for peace, it will be war for more territories.” word with terrorists. I associate it with a and that Armenians’ lives do not matter. It All of the blame may have some truth in it, but none of the blame will bring back the great-aunt I never knew. doesn’t matter if grandmothers and chil- thousands of young Armenians martyred or wounded during the war. None of the blame Sirvart was the wife of Haji Margosian dren are killed in the shelling of cities. And will bring back the seven territories around Artsakh, or Shushi and Hadrut within (we don’t know his real first name), the those who are left, will be “leftovers of the Artsakh. It is time to stop the blame game, assess the facts, accept the facts, see the posi- older brother of my great-grandmother drone.” Turkey has openly helped tives and negatives and start working based on the facts. Vartanoush (nee Margosian). Haji was draft- Azerbaijan in the current war, as we all First of all, we need to realize that all Armenians, in Armenia, Artsakh, and the diaspo- ed into the Turkish Army. The Margosians know. How can a member of NATO – that ra, need to share the blame, and acknowledge their own mistakes instead of blaming the as well as Sirvart walked the death march is, one of the closest allies of the United others. The only persons not to blame in this war are the heroic soldiers and volunteers, to Der Zor. At some point, they got sepa- States, which is supposed to be a beacon of who died or got injured, sacrificing for the nation. rated. Vartanoush, after many adventures democracy and human rights – do these Secondly, we need to realize that the ceasefire outcome is a proposal which was put on that space does not permit me to share, things, and remain a member of NATO? the negotiating table for almost 25 years, rejected by both sides with maximalist expecta- ended up in an orphanage in Aleppo. William Saroyan in his 1936 story, “the tions at different times. It is now imposed not by Azerbaijanis on Armenians, but imposed Sirvart was with a group of Armenians that Armenian and the Armenian” assures us on both sides by the Russians who did allow the occupied territories to be taken back by were attacked by a group of…soldiers? that there is no way to destroy the the Azerbaijanis, but also allowed Artsakh to be kept by the Armenians. Artsakh is intact, Bandits? It’s unclear, but the men were cut- Armenian people. I should like to see any except for Shushi, which is under Russian control not Azeri control, with roads in and out ting down Armenians with, quite literally, power of the world try it, he says. See if of it still under Armenian control. As stated earlier, the occupied territories would be swords. Sirvart was slashed across the back they won’t be laughing about it twenty exchanged for some sort of security guarantee in the past. Now, that security guarantee and fell to the ground. She played dead years after. See if they won’t be mocking for Artsakh is in the form of Russian peacekeepers. Provided Artsakh Armenians feel until the men were gone. After the war, she the big ideas of the world. There is a secure enough to go back to Artsakh, Artsakh will remain Armenian and not controlled made it to Adana where she married famous Armenian song, that was written in by Azerbaijanis. Every effort should be undertaken by Armenia, Artsakh and diaspora Armenian Legionnaire Khachig America in the 1940s by the Istanbul-born leaders to start reconstruction and rebuilding of Stepanakert and rest of Artsakh, and to Mashlakjian (later changed to Kerkorian) singer and comedic actor in Armenian provide all necessary social and financial assistance to the Artsakh Armenians to return to and came to Detroit. Khachig ran into his plays, Edward Boghosian. It is a silly kef- their homes as soon as possible. first cousin Onneg Kezelian in an Armenian time song, everyone knows it, and no one Thirdly, the Armenian army proved itself as a formidable force against all odds. The coffeehouse in town. Onneg wanted a wife really gives it much thought. The chorus is technological deficiency of not having drones nor much defense against drones was the too. Sirvart knew Vartanoush was alive in “Khoski mi khapvik, seri mi havadak, ays main obstacle to achieve victory. The critical importance of keeping up with advances in the orphanage and sent for her. And so, ashkharhin mech amen pan sood e / Sood technology, not only in the military sector, but in all sectors including biotechnology, elec- because of this woman who, under her e, sood e, sood e, amen pan sood e, ays tronics, nuclear, transport, etc. will be the key for survival in a hostile environment. I housedress, carried the scar of an Ottoman ashkharhin mech, amen pan sood e”. The keep wondering if there was enough emphasis on recognizing the importance of drones in sword across her back for the rest of her translation is “Don’t be fooled by words; preparing for the war, and whether there were enough steps taken to acquire drones from life, I am here today. don’t trust in love; in this world, everything other countries, including even Israel. Every effort should be undertaken by Armenia, Erdogan’s reckless use of the word “left- is false (or fake or a lie). It’s false, false, Artsakh and diaspora leaders to engage, finance and maintain technical advances. over of the sword” displays a callous indif- false, everything is false, in this world, Fourthly, Armenians again discovered that no other state would be able or willing to ference toward the lives of Armenian peo- everything is false.” Many people think this help Armenia, no matter how sympathetic, supportive and eloquent statements are made ple. We Armenians have constantly asked song is merely an exhortation to “eat, by other state leaders. In whose interest is it to recognize Artsakh, no matter how many for recognition, for some kind of restitution drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may petitions, protests or road closures we organize in the Diaspora? In whose interest is it to or justice. What justice? Erdogan, and the die.” Although the rest of the lyrics, and stop the Azeri advance, gross human rights violations, murders or destruction of rest of the Turkish leadership, Turkey as a indeed the cynical view of love, do support Armenian churches? The one and only ally would be the Russians, not because they love state if you will, has been unrepentant. Let that surface meaning, in my opinion this the Armenians, but because it serves Russian interests to help Armenia, to place their us repeat that word: Unrepentant. Because song has always had an undertone that boots between Azeris and Armenians, to keep their control over Caucasus against other Erdogan’s use of this word also acknowl- reflects Saroyan’s story of two Armenians states such as Turkey. On that note, it would be wise for Armenia to adopt a more pro- edges the Genocide itself. There can be no who meet twenty years after the Genocide Russian stance than present. After the situation stabilizes in a few weeks, hopefully an leftover of the sword if there was no sword, in a Russian beer parlor and speak in their orderly process to hold early elections would help find a more suitable leader in Armenia, after all. They know what they did. Imagine mother tongue in the following scene: adaptable to the new realities. a world where Angela Merkel tries to reha- “And the Armenian gestures, meaning so Fifthly, the diaspora proved that it can quickly mobilize and unite during a crisis. The bilitate the image of Adolf Hitler and the much. The slapping of the knee and roaring amount of funds and essential materials transferred during October was more than the Nazi Party, and not only denies that the with laughter. The cursing. The subtle totals transferred in the past 20 years. We should recognize that the real crisis is not over, Holocaust happened, but spends untold mockery of the world and its big ideas. The but just starting now, with even more need for uniting the resources of Diaspora with amounts of money to cover up the fact that word in Armenian, the glance, the gesture, Armenia and Artsakh. it happened and wage a propaganda war the smile, and through these things the There is now a window of security for at least five years or more, without worry of mili- against the Jewish community. Imagine a swift rebirth of the race, timeless and again tary aggression or sniper attacks by Azerbaijanis nor Turks. Armenians of Armenia, world where German immigrants walk strong, though years have passed, though Artsakh and the diaspora must use this time wisely, in full cooperation and unity, in order through the streets of New York City call- cities have been destroyed, fathers and to prepare themselves for the consequences after the Russian security is lifted. During ing for Jews to come out of their homes. brothers and sons killed, places forgotten, this time, there should also be diplomatic and economic efforts to deal with the And imagine a world where, all this being dreams violated, living hearts blackened Azerbaijanis and Turks to fully utilize the benefits of the blockades which will be lifted. said, “leftover of the gas chamber” is a com- with hate.” No matter how much we are bleeding or burning internally, we will need to appear strong, mon derogatory term for Jews in Europe. All Armenians should always have these calm and competent with our neighbors to the east and west, as well as to our allies and Armenians are living in such a world words in mind. And when Saroyan says that peacekeepers. Therefore, let us please stop the blame game and get to work. right now. Non-Armenians find it hard to continued on next page S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY Now Comes a Karabakh War over Cultural Heritage

scholar who was later regarded as Azerbaijan’s national his- day Azerbaijanis. By torian. Similarly, the Azerbaijani authorities have restored the The Albanians were a small Christian people in the Caucasus Armenian church in the center of Baku. However they have region who had mostly died out by the 10th century – not put a cross on the dome, and the only public service in the Azerbaijan’s military success confirmed by a Russian-bro- although the Udins, a small in northern church in the last 30 years occurred when Catholicos Karekin kered ceasefire has rapidly changed the map of the South Azerbaijan, are their likely successors. A handful of old frag- visited Baku in 2010. A smaller 18th century church of the Caucasus. Attention has now turned to the rich cultural her- ments of Albanian script have survived and been deciphered. Virgin Mary near Baku’s Maiden Tower was pulled down in itage, in particular the Armenian churches falling under However, Buniatov and others argued that a Christian eccle- 1992. In 2008 many graves in the Christian cemetery in the Azerbaijani control. siastical eparchy named the “Church of ” had lasted north part of Baku, known as Montino (the main Armenian Beyond preserving these precious monuments for future until the 19th century and that this was proof of a separate cemetery in the city), were also hastily razed to make way for generations and as places of worship, this is a test of goodwill. Albanian identity lasting hundreds of years longer than previ- a new road. Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to a cessation of hostili- ously thought. This ambiguity allowed Azerbaijani politicians The Azerbaijani authorities have also restored churches in ties but are still a long way from peace. On an issue where to assert that Karabakh’s churches were not actually Armenian the towns of Nij and Gabala in controversial fashion. The Nij human lives are not at stake, can the parties agree to a more (and its people were therefore not either) – while ignoring the church – which has good reason to be called “Albanian” as it inclusive narrative of regional histo- is located in a region populated by the ry that does not seek to erase the Udin ethnic group – was restored with identity of the other? The early signs the support of a Norwegian NGO, are not positive. Norwegian Humanitarian Enterprise. This is not a simple story. As However, Armenian-language inscrip- Azerbaijani armed forces recaptured tions on the church were erased at the territories this autumn that had end of December 2004, with the result been under Armenian occupation that foreign ambassadors declined to since 1993, the scale of cultural dev- attend the re-opening of the church. astation became apparent. Based on that experience, Steinar Armenians had not just destroyed Gil, Norwegian ambassador to almost all the houses, but also, in Azerbaijan at that time, commented, “I many cases, wrecked graveyards. am worried because Azerbaijan has a Pictures of a mosque in Alkhanli vil- sad reputation related to Armenian reli- lage of Fizuli region, which had gious monuments,” and referred to been turned into a cowshed, caused “the almost total Albanization of outrage. Armenian churches and monasteries, The Azerbaijani Ministry of irrespective of their time of construc- Culture also expressed indignation tion.” at Armenian excavations at the As members of UNESCO, Armenia famous Azykh , a prehistoric and Azerbaijan are both obliged to site in the Martuni region which was honor international cultural conven- extensively researched in the Soviet tions, including the 1954 Hague period, and at alterations to the Convention which is designed to pro- Shahbulaq fortress in Aghdam tect monuments at risk due to armed region. conflict. Russian Foreign Minister As Azerbaijani forces moved deep- Sergei Lavrov also invoked UNESCO in er into Karabakh, the issue then Armenians visit the Dadivank monastery in Kelbajar region on November 14. The region will be turned over to comments on November 12. But arose of the hundreds of Armenian Azerbaijan later this month. (photo: Jonathan Alpeyrie) UNESCO mainly operates in a country churches, tombstones and monu- at the discretion of a national govern- ments there. Azerbaijan now con- ment. So pressure to preserve monu- trols most of Hadrut region and its ments may come down to mobilization monuments such as the Gtichavank church, which dates back fact that they were built in an Armenian style and covered in by international heritage experts. to the 13th century. Armenian-language inscriptions. Well-known monuments may remain untouched after the As Armenians prepare to cede Azerbaijani territories under What will happen to Karabakh’s Christian monuments now? intervention of no less an authority than Russian President the November 10 deal, they are handing over many significant Judging on past experience, their future may be one of preser- Vladimir Putin, who personally asked President Ilham Aliyev monuments. These include the Tsitsernavank basilica church vation, unilateral restoration or destruction. for – and reportedly received – reassurances on the “preserva- in Lachin region and the archaeological site of the old city of Destruction has been the fate of almost all Armenian monu- tion and normal operation” of churches such as Dadivank. in Aghdam region. The Amaras monastery in ments in Azerbaijan’s exclave of Nakhichevan. The most egre- Simon Maghakyan, an Armenian scholar who researched the Martuni region, which contains a 5th century mausoleum and gious case was the razing of the famous medieval Armenian Djulfa cemetery destruction, says he is more worried about the is said to date back to the era of St. , cemetery at Djulfa, with thousands of cross-stones, fate of lesser-known Armenian monuments. He said, “My fear the founder of the Armenian church, is situated on the new in 2005-06. As Nakhichevan is relatively unvisited, this story is that the monuments at the highest risk for immediate era- front line and it is not clear whether Armenians or Azerbaijanis has not received the attention it would if the region were more sure are being overlooked, including smaller medieval church- currently control it. accessible. es and especially the numerous statuesque that are Most attention has focused on the 12th century Dadivank Unilateral and tendentious restoration has been visited on nearly impossible to ‘Albanize,’ given their rich Armenian monastery in Kelbajar region, now due to be returned to several monuments on both sides of the conflict. inscriptions. One of the most prominent khachkars at grave Azerbaijan on November 25. News footage showed Russian For example, Armenians have restored and re-opened a “Blue risk is the 14th century Angels and the Cross in the Vank vil- peacekeepers at the site. Mosque” in Yerevan, a city which had a strong Muslim identity in lage of Hadrut region, which Azerbaijan captured last month.” Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture has said it regards churches the 18th and 19th centuries. The mosque is mostly used for wor- Those Armenian and Azerbaijani experts who work to an inter- such as Dadivank to be “Albanian,” not Armenian. Anar ship by resident or visiting Iranians. A smaller less conspicuous national standard rather than a nationalist agenda can play a pos- Karimov, first deputy culture minister of Azerbaijan, posted a mosque in Yerevan situated at Vardanants Street near the city itive role – but only if given the space to do so. Azerbaijani schol- controversial tweet in which he referred to the monastery as center was pulled down as the Karabakh conflict began. ar Cavid Aga argues, “By preserving Armenian heritage, we can having been “built by wife of Albanian prince Vakhtang.” The Karabakh Armenian authorities also controversially learn Caucasian Albanian heritage too.” The “Albanian” reference is to a bitter political-historical restored the two mosques in the town of Shusha. The Yerevan quarrel that has raged in parallel to the military Karabakh con- and Shusha restorations used the mirror image of the flict. “Albanian theory.” Armenian restorers called the mosques (Thomas de Waal is a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe, The idea that churches in Karabakh are not Armenian but “Iranian” or “Persian,” seeking to deny any Azerbaijani identi- specializing in and the Caucasus region. He is actually “Caucasian Albanian” stems from a 1960s Soviet ty to them – even though it is clear that the Turkic-speaking the author of numerous publications about the region. This Azerbaijani thesis advanced by Ziya Buniatov, an influential Shiite builders of these mosques were the ancestors of modern- commentary originally appeared in Eurasianet.org.)

Saroyan and Boghosian, we are indestructible. pened. Of course we know the aftermath. The sequences we are seeing before our very eyes. Leftovers of Does that mean that we should become Holocaust. And now the war in Artsakh. On the other hand, in order not to become dis- complacent again and put the Armenian Why? Because Turkey has never been held couraged, we must not put too much faith that issue on the back burner? Not at all. We responsible for their crimes. They have the Western powers will actually do anything, the Sword should continue to hold Turkey responsible remained unrepentant. They talk about “left- because in regard to the “big ideas of the for their crimes. We should continue to hold overs of the sword.” Such a stance is an out- world” – “amen pan sood eh.” And we should from previous page the West responsible for upholding the rage. It is disgusting. But it is also laughable. also not forget, that when Saroyan wrote those he “should like to see any power of the world” human rights that they claim to prize. We It is laughable because everyone knows what words, he wasn’t just referring to the noble destroy the Armenians, he continues to say, should remember the words of Theodore they did, including themselves. ideas of the West, but also, and perhaps pri- “see if you can stop them from mocking the big Roosevelt: “…the Armenian massacre was the I am not a political strategist. I am only a marily, to the evil ideas of the Turks. He was ideas of the world.” Because Saroyan knew that greatest crime of the war, and the failure to writer and a student of Armenian culture and also referring to the plans of Genocide and the pronouncements of the civilized world on act against Turkey is to condone it… the fail- history. I don’t know the best course to take. Pan- unleashed by the Young Turks Democracy, on the Rights of Man, on Justice, ure to deal radically with the Turkish horror But I do know that as Armenians we must in those days and the Grey Wolves in our day. were baloney. Edward Boghosian knew it too, means that all talk of guaranteeing the future walk a sort of tightrope. On the one hand, we And in regard to these ideas, that is, the idea and sang “ays ashkharhin mech, amen pan sood peace of the world is mischievous non- have to continually and endlessly remind the that the Armenians can ever be destroyed – e.” When we ask ourselves, how could America sense.”” Many people do not know that the US and the other Western powers of what Saroyan, Boghosian, and all the other “left- let us down, how could Europe let us down, this context of this quote is actually Roosevelt’s Theodore Roosevelt knew to be true, about overs of the sword” taught us that we is the answer. And when we, the remnants of suggestion that the US declare war on the what happened to our people and about the Armenians will forever have the ability to the sword, are able to have the wisdom of Ottoman Empire, which never officially hap- consequences of Turkish unrepentance – con- laugh in their face. 20 S ATURDAY, N OVEMBER 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

Regardless of its origin, economic inequality has become a That the Republican Party would give itself over to such a Trump Won’t Be the Last source of cultural and political volatility in the United States. movement—and to Donald Trump as its standard-bearer—was Those who have failed to benefit from economic growth have never a foregone conclusion. One can argue that Republicans American Populist become disillusioned with the political system. In areas where supported Trump because he was willing to execute their agen- imports from China and automation have led to the loss of da: cutting taxes, fighting regulation, and appointing conserva- After four horrible, discombobulating years, many Americans American jobs, voters have turned their backs on moderate politi- tive judges. Alas, this is only a small part of the story. Trump’s want to believe that the United States is on the verge of a new cians and have tended to vote for those who are more extreme. popularity surged based on positions diametrically opposed to beginning. Former Good policy can begin to redress economic inequality: a high- Republican orthodoxy: restricting trade, increasing spending on Vice President Joe er federal minimum wage, a more redistributive tax system, and infrastructure, helping and interfering with manufacturing firms, By Prof. Biden appears to a better social safety net would help create a fairer society. and weakening the country’s international role. One can point to have squeaked Nonetheless, such measures are not enough by themselves. The skyrocketing rates of polarization before Trump or chide the role past President United States needs to create good—high-paying and stable—jobs of money in politics. Yet these factors hardly explain the whole- Donald Trump in a hotly contested presidential election that dou- for workers without a college degree, and the country is far from sale abandonment of many of the key policy tenets of a 150-year- bled as a stress test for the instruments of American democracy. a consensus on how this can be done. old party. Before 2016, few would have believed that the All the same, this contentious election season should leave no Together with economic resentment has come a distrust of all Republican Party would try to dismiss and cover up meddling by one sanguine about the future. The autocratic, populist turn of kinds of elites. Much of the American public and many politi- a hostile government in a presidential election. the Trump presidency arose from deep fractures in U.S. politics cians now express a mounting hostility toward policymaking A Global Unraveling and society, and Americans must understand and address these based on expertise. Trust in American institutions, including the Trump and Trumpism are American phenomena, but they if they are to prevent similar forces from once again seizing the judiciary, Congress, the Federal Reserve, and various law arose within a context that is undeniably global. Under Boris nation. The roots of Trumpism don’t begin or end with Trump enforcement agencies, has collapsed. Neither Trump nor recent Johnson in the United Kingdom, the Tory Party is transforming or even with American politics—they are closely connected to party polarization can be held solely to blame for this anti-tech- in a manner similar, if more benign, to that of the Republican economic and political currents affecting much of the world. nocratic shift. The almost complete rejection of scientific facts Party. The French right has fallen behind the National Rally (the Fertile Ground and competent, objective policymaking among many in the elec- new name for the far-right National Front). And the Turkish right The United States was ripe for a populist movement by 2016, torate and the Republican Party predates Trump and has paral- has remade itself in the image of a strongman, Recep Tayyip and it remains so today. Vast inequalities have opened in the last lels in other countries—Brazil, the , and Turkey to Erdogan. Together, these and other cases demonstrate not just four decades between the highly educated and the rest and name a few. Without more deeply understanding the root of such polarization but a complete unraveling of the old political order. between capital and labor. As a result, median wages have been suspicion, American policymakers can have little hope of con- How and why this unraveling has happened is not self-evident. stagnant for about 40 years, and the real earnings of many vincing millions of people that better policies, designed by The first place to look for an answer is in the major, crosscutting groups, especially men with low education levels, have fallen pre- experts, will improve their lives enormously and reverse decades economic trends of the present era: globalization and the rise of cipitously. Men with less than a college degree, for example, earn of decline. Nor can policymakers hope to put a lid on the dis- digital and automation technologies, both of which have induced significantly less today than their counterparts did in the 1970s. content that fueled Trump’s rise. rapid social changes coupled with unshared gains and economic No serious discussion of the political ills that have befallen the Poisonous Seeds disruptions. As institutions proved unable or unwilling to protect United States can ignore these economic trends, which have Populist movements thrive on inequality and on resentment of those suffering from these transformations, they also destroyed afflicted the American middle class and contributed to the anger elites. Yet these conditions alone don’t explain why American public trust in establishment parties, the experts claiming to and frustration among some of the voters who turned to Trump. voters in 2016 turned right rather than left as inequality rose understand and better the world, and the politicians who appear The root causes of these inequalities have proved surprisingly and the very wealthy benefited at ordinary people’s expense. In complicit in the most disruptive changes and in cahoots with difficult to pin down. The rise of new, “skill biased” wunder tech- the United States, a right-wing populist movement stood ready to those who have stealthily benefited from them. nologies, such as computers and artificial intelligence, has coin- make itself the vehicle for the grievances of regular people and From this perspective, it isn’t sufficient to decry the collapse cided with a period of singularly low growth in productivity, and to marry those grievances to a stance that was anti-elite, nation- of civic behavior or even to defeat toxic populists and authori- analysts have not convincingly explained why these technologies alist, and often authoritarian. tarian strongmen. Those who seek to shore up democratic insti- have benefited capital owners rather than workers. Another fre- Right-wing did not emerge in the United States because tutions must build new ones that can better regulate globaliza- quently cited culprit—trade with China—is clearly a contributing of Trump’s deranged charisma. Nor did it begin with the news media’s tion and digital technology, altering their direction and rules so factor, but Chinese imports really exploded only once inequality infatuation with his outrageous statements, or with Russian meddling, that the economic growth they foster benefits more people (and was already rising and American manufacturing was already on or with social media. Rather, right-wing populism resurged as a potent is perhaps faster and of a higher quality overall). Building trust the decline. Moreover, European countries with similarly huge political force at least two decades before Trump’s takeover of the in public institutions and experts requires proving that they trade inflows from China do not show the same extent of inequal- Republican Party—remember Pat Buchanan? And it has analogs all work for the people and with the people. ity as the United States. Nor can deregulation and the demise of over the world, not just in mature reeling from the loss (Daron Acemoglu is a Turkish-born Armenian-American economist who unions in the United States account for the disappearance of man- of manufacturing jobs but in countries that have benefited economi- has taught at the Institute of Technology since 1993 and is ufacturing and clerical jobs, for instance, as these losses are com- cally from globalization, including Brazil, , India, the currently the Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics. This anal- mon across essentially all advanced economies. Philippines, , and Turkey. ysis originally appeared in the November 6 edition of Foreign Affairs.)