Kirants on Groong Podcast

Giro Manoyan - The ARF in Armenia’s Politics | Ep 364 - Sep 16, 2024

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0400

The ARF in Armenia’s Politics

Role of the Opposition

In 2021 the ARF helped form the Hayastan Dashinq, or Armenia Alliance and entered the National Assembly along with Pativ Unem as the 2 main opposition political forces.

Unfortunately, the ruling party was able to win a supermajority, passing laws at will, while the opposition has struggled to block measures harmful to Armenia’s national interests. Since the 2021 elections, opposition figures have faced arrests, particularly mayors, the legal system has been purged, and unconstitutional concessions have been made to Azerbaijan. In short, the opposition has been largely ineffective.

Giro Manoyan - The ARF in Armenia’s Politics | Ep 364 - Sep 16, 2024

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Role of the Opposition. Relations with the Tavush Movement. Relations with the Diaspora.

Go to Episode Notes

Vahagn Melikian - Armenian Foreign Policy and The Srbazan Movement | Ep 352, Aug 12, 2024

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 06:07:35 +0400

Armenian Foreign Policy and The Srbazan Movement

Ambassador Melikian, as this is your first time on our show, please tell us about your background, interests, and research.

From “Revolution” To War

With so much history and experience behind you, Ambassador Melikian, we would like to hear about your experience in the Foreign Ministry during one of the most fateful times in recent Armenian history.

Specifically, on May 23, 2018, you were appointed as Secretary General at the Armenian Foreign ministry. That is two weeks after Pashinyan was elected as Prime Minister. You left your position at the MFA on July 19, 2021, shortly after the resignation of Ara Ayvazyan and 7 months after Pashinyan signed the disastrous Nov 9-10 statement.

Vahagn Melikian - Armenian Foreign Policy and The Srbazan Movement | Ep 352, Aug 12, 2024

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 06:07:35 +0400

Episode Summary

Background on Amb. Melikian. From Revolution to War. Goris-Kapan Handover. Armenia’s “Pivot” To The West. Srbazan Movement. Pan-Armenian Diplomatic Council.

Go to Episode Notes

Hayk Mamijanyan - Prospect of a Trump Presidency on the Caucasus, Update on political prisoners, PACE report, Referendum on joining EU, Bagrat Srbazan Tavush movement | Ep 346, July 19, 2024

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0400

Prospect of Trump Presidency On The Caucasus

We plan to ask this question to many of our guests, so we ask you as well. Ever since the assassination attempt on July 13, the prospect of a Trump presidency is now higher.

Question:

How will a Trump presidency affect the US policy towards the Caucasus?
Do you have any predictions?

Update on Political Prisoners

We last talked to you over a year and a half ago, during the early days of the Artsakh blockade. A lot of Armenians, especially Diaspora Armenians think of Armenia as a free, open, hospitable country, and it’s not natural for us to think that there are political prisoners in Armenia. People who are in jail simply because they don’t see eye to eye with this current government. Dozens of them.

Hayk Mamijanyan - Prospect of a Trump Presidency on the Caucasus, Update on political prisoners, PACE report, Referendum on joining EU, Bagrat Srbazan Tavush movement | Ep 346, July 19, 2024

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 02:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Prospect of a Trump Presidency on the Caucasus. Update on political prisoners. PACE report. Referendum on joining EU. Bagrat Srbazan Tavush movement.

Go to Episode Notes

Aram Orbelyan - Legality of Armenian Territorial Handovers to Azerbaijan, Triggering Parliamentary Elections through Opposition Resignations | Ep 340 - June 23, 2024

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 20:00:00 +0400

Legal & Constitutional Issues in Armenian Politics

Unconstitutional “Delimitation” Process

Kirants residents, in Tavush, are being told to quit their claim to their property and other “non-land” rights.
They’re being offered huge sums of money (according to Bagrat Srbazan, they’re being offered compensation of $50K for a property that is worth $1K)
Eminent Domain is not being used.

Questions:

Is this process legal and constitutional?
Pashinyan administration members say that these lands are not Armenia and there has been a mistake made by the Cadastre. Does this set a precedent where, one day Armenia’s cadastre committee could say that they realized that all those property rights south of Lake Sevan were issued by mistake, due to the Treaty of Alexandropol. Is this a correct analogy with what’s happening to the dispossessed residents of Kirants, in Tavush?

Could the Opposition Trigger New Elections?

Over the past few months the “idea” has been circulated from certain sectors that the parliamentary opposition should give up their mandates, and thus trigger a constitutional crisis in Armenia, leading to new elections.

Aram Orbelyan - Legality of Armenian Territorial Handovers to Azerbaijan, Triggering Parliamentary Elections through Opposition Resignations | Ep 340 - June 23, 2024

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 20:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Unconstitutional “Delimitation” Process. Could the Opposition Trigger New Elections?

Go to Episode Notes

Dziunik Aghajanian - Srbazan Movement Pause, EU Right Shift, Renewed Azerbaijan War Threats, Did Pashinyan get Marching Orders from Erdogan | Ep 339 - June 23, 2024

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 01:00:00 +0400

Srbazan Movement: Pause and Regroup?

After the brutal use of police violence on the protesters on June 12 and the quorum-busting move from Civil Contract on June 17, which prevented the opposition from holding a hearing on the topic of demanding Pashinyan’s resignation, the protest movement led by Bagrat Srbazan has announced that it will change tactics and use the tool of rallies and protests sparingly and tactically. Furthermore, the movement will be re-grouped and expanded, according to Srbazan.

Dziunik Aghajanian - Srbazan Movement Pause, EU Right Shift, Renewed Azerbaijan War Threats, Did Pashinyan get Marching Orders from Erdogan | Ep 339 - June 23, 2024

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 01:00:00 +0400

Episode Summary

Srbazan Movement: Pause & Regroup? EU Parliamentary Shift to the Right. Armenia and EU Membership. Renewed Azerbaijani Threats of War. Armenia Reports CAESAR Artillery Acquisition. Did Pashinyan Get Marching Orders from Erdogan?

Go to Episode Notes