2021 April 23

Daily news wrap-up

Apr/23/2021: (1) Boeing jet was hijacked to Iran. Returned (2) Free Press stats (3) Solar for hemp? (4) Sec. Council interview (5) Meghri mayor (6) Reducing traffic deaths (7) Infrastructure & agriculture projects (8) Demographics (9) Diplomatic news (9) Diasporan students (10) Genocide Memorial
by ar_david_hh

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Your 11-minute Friday report in 2802 words.

resolved: Boeing jet was hijacked by a rogue hired crew / returns to Armenia after interstate operation

Earlier we learned that the pilots, without authorization, flew a jet registered in Armenia to Iran instead of Ukraine.

Fly Armenia Airways provides details: We leased Boeing 737-300 from a European company. It was receiving maintenance in Estonia. It was supposed to fly to Ukraine between February 12-22 to continue the maintenance.

Armenian Civil Aviation authorized the Estonia-Ukraine flight. The crew was instructed to do so. However, due to the COVID pandemic, the Armenian pilots' Shengen visa was delayed, so our partner offered a new pilot crew [presumably Tajik nationals as stated elsewhere earlier].

On February 20, we learned that the jet did not arrive in Ukraine. We contacted Estonia and learned that it flew in a different direction. The crew falsified documents and flew to Bulgaria instead of Ukraine.

Then we learned that it flew from Bulgaria to UAE. We contacted Armenian Civil Aviation and the authorities to inform them about the incident. We also contacted European air officials at Eurocontrol.

We contact UAE and ask authorities to take the jet under their control upon its landing. However, UAE told us the jet never landed there.

We searched for the jet in neighboring countries and learned that the jet asked for an emergency landing in Iran. We contacted Armenian authorities and asked them to ensure the jet is secured in Iran.

On February 28, the Civil Aviation and our pilots visited Iran to investigate the story and to bring back the jet. After tremendous efforts, we were able to transport it to Armenia on April 23.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050086.html

Free Speech Committee presents the state of media in 1Q21

President Ashot: physical assaults (7 incidents) against journalists increased lately. Mostly during mass events and protests. There were no such incidents in the 1Q20.

Overall, there is a reduction of pressure on journalists. The number of pressure incidents reduced from 50 to 20 YoY. A "pressure" can be verbal insults, obstruction, threats, or lawsuits.

The number of violations regarding media's right to receive information has also reduced this year, from 21 to 15. Reporters still complain about a delayed response by state institutes.

Lawsuits against media outlets have also reduced, from 14 to 12. Out of the 12 lawsuits, 10 were over defamation and insult. (29 in 2019, 14 in 2020, 12 in 2021).

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050010.html https://factor.am/362472.html

authorities investigate recent violent protests / Meghri mayor details

Police report says: Meghri mayor [HHK Mkhitar Zakaryan] learned about Pashinyan's visit to Meghri and Agarak, and with the intention to commit hooliganism, gathered his friends, municipality workers, and workers from his friends' businesses, and organized acts of hooliganism.

When Pashinyan attempted to meet locals, the mayor coordinated the actions of the hooligans who began to curse then physically assault, while ignoring police orders.

The same day, the deputy mayor of Goris, after learning about Pashinyan's trip back to Yerevan, organized hooliganism to attack his vehicle convoy on the street. 19 people are charged. The petition is filed to arrest 8 of them. //

The investigative Committee is also investigating yesterday's riot in front of the prosecutors' office, during which protesters threw objects at police while trying to break into the building. They gathered in support of Meghri mayor.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050041.html https://www.arlis.am/documentView.aspx?docid=69646 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050070.html

a boxing match to resolve the dispute?

ayy lmao. Former Syunik governor and opposition Vahe Hakobyan had an argument with QP MP Hrachya Hakobyan (Pashinyan's cousin). The latter called for Syunik attack participants to be humiliated and arrested.

In turn, the opposition official called him to fight in a boxing ring. The QP MP accepted the offer and asked for a date and time. The opposition figure chose April 25. The MP has not yet accepted or rejected the date.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/292347/

parts from Security Councilman Grigoryan's interview to Russian RIA Novosti:

The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) borders are internationally recognized. Armenia will take diplomatic steps to return the occupied territories.

(asked to comment losing the latest war) This conflict has decades of history. In order to evaluate the results, a detailed study is needed. This is not a "sprint", this is a "marathon".

(about weapons) We plan to purchase the best weapons produced by a leading country in this field. Simultaneously, we plan to actively develop Armenia's military industry in the future.

Our army reforms will be done with the help of Russia. Russia's own army reforms in the past 12 years are among the most successful in the world. Automated systems, modernization, efficiency, etc. We are confident that with the help of Russia we can build a powerful army.

(about risks of destabilization before/after elections) The 2018 elections provided a resource of stability. This is how we were able to stabilize the difficult post-war situation and prepare for snap elections. A fair and transparent election will preclude a revolution because it will allow people to express their will.

(about Russian peacekeepers) At the moment, Azerbaijan does not show signs that the region could be stable without peacekeepers. The issue of extending the peacekeeping mission can be discussed when the deadline approaches.

(about Aliyev's threats) The threats are proof that this conflict is about the physical existence of Nagorno Karabakh people and Armenia. Artsakh population hadn't forgotten about their rights even during 70 years of [Soviet] silence. In 1988 they stood for their rights and gained freedom. The stability and development of the region depend on the extent to which the reality reflects historical justice.

This conflict has not been resolved. It cannot be resolved with the use of force. By using force, Azerbaijan violated one of the three basic principles underlying the settlement of the conflict. OSCE Mink Group agrees that "the resolution of the conflict must happen based on principles well known to the parties."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050052.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050061.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050062.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050063.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050066.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050073.html

new database of traffic accidents

Infrastructure Ministry, NGOs, and the World Bank formed an expert group tasked with examining European experience in the collection of statistics about road accidents. It's meant to bring Armenia in line with international standards as part of AM-EU cooperation. The statistics will allow for targeted steps to reduce casualties.

Earlier we learned that Armenia will join Vision Zero global initiative to reduce traffic deaths. It'll be part of the 2021-2040 vision.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049957.html

cooperative farms receive tractors as gift

World Bank is helping the government to promote the idea of boosting agricultural efficiency through cooperatives, in which farmers join forces to manage enlarged lands.

Several cooperatives are receiving 17 tractors as a gift. Elsewhere there are projects to lay irrigation networks to make use of more lands.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049963.html

Artsakh birth ratio in 1Q21: 108 girls for every 100 boys

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050031.html

Demographic Improvement Council held a session

The government formed a Council in 2019 tasked with boosting demographics. Laws were drafted to triple child-birth aid, increase child care aid, provide mortgage aid to parents, free reproductive healthcare, etc.

Today the Council held the next session. Their goal is to see 3 children in each family.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/212159

infrastructure projects

Gegharquniq's Shatjreq village will have a new school equipped with modern tech. The ֏561m construction has begun and will finish next year.

It'll have a lab, a library, medical center, leisure hall, etc. "By building a school, we are building an army, an economy, a church, and strengthening our state," said the director of the existing outdated school.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049965.html

Yerevan continues to renovate kindergartens. Mayor Marutyan visited a few to see the conditions. "In 2020 we put 12 kindergartens into operation. This year there will be 10, and next year 13."

The city chose buildings that were never renovated since the day of their construction. Some of them are being rebuilt. Seismic security and modern living standards are the aim. The renovation often expands the living area, which allows the recruitment of more children, which is a hot topic in the capital.

15 of those 23 kindergartens are being renovated as part of a European bank project for energy efficiency.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049998.html

IRS will tutor and recruit wounded soldiers

IRS boss Edward visited the Soldiers' Rehabilitation Center. The Center's director presented the recent upgrades and said the new Center is one of a kind in the region. It also provides free mental health, accommodation, and food to recovering soldiers. It also organizes leisure and education programs for them. IRS plans to launch one such education program to recruit them.

Photos, red carpet for soldiers: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050065.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050012.html

Armenian envoy to UN sends a letter to General Secretary

... with complaints about Ilham Aliyev's recent erratic behavior and threats over the "Zangezur corridor". Aliyev said if Armenia does not provide a trade route through Syunik to Nakhijevan, they will achieve it with force. Azeri MFA later "backtracked" the land threats.

The complaint letter also mentions Azeri authorities' Armenophobic and hateful messages.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049972.html

Arabic "Maat Foundation for Peace" criticizes Azerbaijan over refusal to free POWs

Azerbaijan continues to violate its international human rights obligations, said President Ayman Akil. Akil said his foundation wrote reports to present Turkey's recruitment of militants and weapon transactions during the war.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049995.html

search operations

Armenian and Azeri crews continue to canvas former battlefields to find their missing soldiers. 2 bodies were found near Hadrut. Another 3 were transferred by Azeris.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050048.html

Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh

... has so far treated 1,300 locals with health concerns in mobile field hospitals. The mission includes over 60 doctors.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049970.html

post office launches exams to ensure employees meet knowledge standards

HayPost said they held a routine certification exam. Some workers are concerned about losing their jobs. There could be 200-300 terminations according to one letter.

Those who score 70 or lower risk losing their job, while 70-79 gives a chance to retake the test.

HayPost denied intentions to mass-hire Beeling ISP workers, saying any vacant position would be filled through a regular competition process.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/212039

diasporans in Armenian universities

3979 diasporan students.

818 free, 3161 paid.

1807 in state uni, 1360 international uni, 351 private uni, 461 colleges.

1958 from Russia, 995 Georgia, 399 Syria, 627 other.

Most popular state unis: 725 in Medical, 198 in Yerevan State, 161 in Pedagogical.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050019.html Armenians are preparing to mark the Genocide Day

Diasporans in Belgium and elsewhere plan to gather in front of the Turkish embassy with calls to recognize the Genocide.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049969.html

Chris Bohjalian - New York Times bestselling author

... spoke about the Genocide recognition. He believes Turkey should not deny its Osmanian ancestors' actions. "The final phase of a genocide is its denial, which is the first phase of the next genocide."

He read a piece from his book The Sandcastle Girls (available in Armenian, not an ad) that draws parallels between Armenians, Jews, Cambodians, Bosnians, and Rwandans.

Full: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049978.html

The Jerusalem Post editorial board: "Israel must recognize the Armenian Genocide"

The editorial notes that an Israeli MP drafted a bill to recognize it in 2018 but the government rejected it to prevent the worsening of relations with Turkey. "Yes, Israel has geopolitical considerations and those cannot be ignored, but it also has a moral imperative that it cannot simply brush off."

Full: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/israel-must-recognize-the-armenian-genocide-editorial-666086

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049993.html

MP Tim Loughton will present a resolution to recognize the Genocide

... to United Kingdom parliament. Scotland and Wales have recognized it but not the UK.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1464686573892726

British Baroness Caroline Cox:

My first message is a word of gratitude to the Armenian people, who have always been freedom fighters for the whole world. I'm ashamed that the UK has not yet recognized the Genocide.

Full: https://youtu.be/_s8nK_a57EE

Turkish MP in German Parliament calls for recognition and talks about Talaat's plan

Video message from MP Sevim Dağdelen: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=530134464678417

sources: Biden told Erdogan he will use the term genocide

Biden and Erdogan spoke over the phone today. Sources familiar with the conversation say Biden told Erdogan that he will use the term Genocide during the April 24 speech.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-23/biden-tells-erdogan-he-will-call-armenian-massacre-a-genocide

the president of Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose:

Together we must say "never again" and make our voices heard.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=283887230039513

other Genocide-related diplomatic news

Pashinyan met the deputy MFA of France.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050077.html

A Parliamentary group in Lithuania called other countries to recognize the genocide.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050080.html

French President Macron sent a letter to President Sarkissian. "All my thought are on Armenia, which has suffered the hardship in its history."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050083.html

Russian Parliamentarian Zatulin: we won't allow the Armenian Genocide to be forgotten.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050085.html

French Senate president has arrived in Armenia.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050091.html

every church will ring the bell at 11:00 pm

... in memory of the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, announced the Church.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049982.html

Live: concert in front of Tsitsarnakaberd memorial

Verdi's Requiem was played.

https://youtu.be/hpQ7pK0sHSo

torchlight march begins in Yerevan and Aleppo

ARF organized the annual torchlight march to Tsitsernakaberd on the eve of Genocide remembrance day.

ARF Ishkhan: We are never against Armenian-Turkish relations. But at what cost? If it's at the expense of Genocide recognition, we are against it, and we will do everythinhg to prevent it. //

Gatherers burned the Turkish and Azeri flags.

Aleppo torchlight march.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050078.html https://youtu.be/uSr6zNL_zTY?t=89 https://youtu.be/6punRdx0ohs

Armenian Foreign Ministry about Genocide recognition:

Today the Armenian people in Armenia and in the Diaspora show their endurance to fight for justice and truth. This struggle will continue until the Turkish government finds the strength to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Neither the Young Turks' brute force nor the denial by the subsequent governments of Turkey can make us forget the first genocide of the 20th century and its martyrs.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050100.html

Yerevan's Opera building isn't on fire

Firefighters "torched" the Opera building with fake smoke to mimic real fire. A dozen firefighters rushed to the scene. Mental health experts and rescuers participate in the drill.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050001.html

evacuation and sheltering drills in provinces

Emergency Ministry has been lately training provincial population on how to react during emergencies. The war and the recent chain of earthquakes uncovered series of problems, said Minister Piloyan. "We've been cooperating with local authorities since early 2021 to train the population."

One of the biggest issues is ensuring access to building basements, which are often obstructed by personal items or the person with the basement key not being present to open the door.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050008.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050029.html

Armenia to export solar panels and alcohol to Canada

Economy Minister Qerobyan met Canadian ambassador LeClaire to discuss trade, investments, high tech, and tourism.

They discussed exporting Armenian solar panels and alcohol to Canada. Armenia is interested in the experience Canadian companies have in growing hemp. "Armenia has an attractive environment for doing this business, considering our climate and workforce," said Qerobyan.

He presented the industrial zones that are being built in Armenia, as well as the ability to access the EAEU trade bloc.

The ambassador expressed a willingness to help Canadian venture funds and financial institutes to establish in Armenia.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050017.html

COVID stats

4015 tested. 715 infected. 1123 healed. 15 deaths. 14854 active (down).

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049968.html

this wave is more potent, watch out

Healthcare Minister Avanesyan: during the last wave in Autumn, 3000 infections would result in as many hospitalizations as 1000 infections during a current wave. The last Autumn wave, in turn, was worse than the one before.

We don't know for sure, but it could be explained by different strains and people's immune systems being weaker during Spring.

There is a queue for 2600 beds but patients usually find one within a day.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050037.html

2,000 have so far been vaccinated

Minister: there was widespread misinformation about vaccines a few months ago but today the attitude is different. People see that vaccination campaign doesn't cause problems. We haven't recorded any issues, everyone feels well. Doctors stay in touch with patients after vaccination.

We have 15-20 daily deaths. Vaccination is the only solution, and it prevents 100% of deaths and serious hospitalizations.

The vaccines are free for non-citizens as well.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1050047.html https://factor.am/362775.html

Berkley Lab: The Future Looks Bright for Infinitely Recyclable Plastic

A new environmental and technological analysis suggests that a revolutionary eco-friendly plastic is almost ready to hit the shelves.

https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2021/04/22/infinitely-recyclable-plastic/

today in history

1564: William Shakespeare is born

1616: William Shakespeare dies

1907: Jack London launches his world tour

1917: Georgi Vitsin is born. You may know him as Ցանցառ from Soviet movies.

1926: Armenian-American film director and editor Aram Avakian was born. Movie list.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049944.html http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Aram_Avakian

Top-10 bestseller children's books in March

5) Henry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, by J.K. Rowling.

4) Շունն ու կատուն, by Hovhannes Tumanyan.

3) Boqonik, by [many authors from many countires].

2) Շաղգամը, by Atabek Khnkoyan.

1) Ով է ապրում տնակում, by Vladimir Suteev.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1049794.html

end of report

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports

Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/mx3vzj/apr232021_1_boeing_jet_was_hijacked_to_iran/