The analysis of recent imagery acquired from various sources highlights air defense developments in the Caucasus region.

In its most recent research, the U.S.-based open-source military analysis IMINT & Analysis, based on the Google Earth satellite imagery of air defense systems, examines Russian and Armenian air defense postures in the Caucasus region, Contact.az reported.

“Imagery from TerraServer and Bing Maps provides the first look at newly identified active S-300PS (SA-10B GRUMBLE) complexes in Armenia and the Georgian breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Both locations represent significant deployments for differing reasons,” says Sean O’Connor, a subject matter expert in the fields of air defense and strategic warfare.

Prior to 2008, Armenia imported components for at least three S-300PT (SA-10A GRUMBLE) batteries, displacing S-125 (SA-3 GOA) batteries defending the capital of Yerevan, according to the source.

By 2010, Russia delivered an additional pair of S-300PS batteries, reportedly deployed in the eastern Syunik province. The two sites, near Goris in the north and Kaghnut in the south, both reside within seven kilometers of the border with Nagorno Karabakh.

“Only the Kaghnut battery resides on a prepared site, the complex specially designed to accommodate the local terrain. Both batteries employ a 5N63S mobile engagement radar and mast-mounted 5N66M low-altitude EW radar,” the source mentioned.

“As imaged in 2011, the Goris battery currently operates four 5P85S/D TELs, with the Kaghnut battery operating eight. Additionally, both batteries displaced aging 2K11 (SA-4 GANEF) units. The status of the displaced 2K11 batteries remains unknown.”

Deployment of the mobile S-300PS batteries in Syunik province places the entire Nagorno Karabakh under the protection of Armenia’s air defense network, according to the analyst.

Furthermore, the S-300PS enjoys mobility that the S-300PT does not, enabling rapid relocation when required. As such, either S-300PS complex represents a possible occupant for the S-300P complex constructed near Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, supplementing or replacing extant 2K11 or S-125 batteries in the region.

The siting of the S-300PS batteries permits target track assignment from either the Yerevan-based 64N6 battle management radar or a Nagorno Karabakh-based 36D6 EW radar. Furthermore, the current siting of the S-300PS batteries closes a pre-existing air defense gap, allowing Armenia to deny air travel into Nakhijevan.

“With the amount of attention given to air defense related developments in the Middle East, it is simple to overlook developments elsewhere in the world. However, overlooked developments, such as the placement of Armenian S-300PS batteries adjacent to Nagorno Karabakh, represent significant occurrences potentially impacting various future scenarios in the region,” the source concludes.

12:38, 5 September, 2012

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Azertac, the state run news agency of Azerbaijan is to appear in the epicenter of a new international scandal for irresponsible reporting and fabrication of threats to kill its own diplomats working abroad. Azerbaijani state news agency reported yesterday on an anonymous letter in Turkish received by the embassy in Budapest, which threatened to kill the embassy staff. Agency attributed the letter to ASALA (Armenian Secret Army for Liberation of Armenia) an Armenian militant organization that operated from 1975 to early 1990s. Agency and other sources failed to verify the letter independently. “Even a very simple content and textual analysis of the letter, however, shows, that it could not be attributed to an Armenian organization or an individual. First, the letter decreases the number of victims of the Armenian Genocide form 1.5 million to 600.000, which is the exact figure defended by the official Turkish and Azerbaijani historiography. It contradicts to the stated intention of ASALA (1975), which is “to compel the Turkish Government to acknowledge publicly its responsibility for the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915, pay reparations, and cede territory for an Armenian homeland”, where the number of Armenian victims is clearly articulated”, an unnamed former ASALA member told Armenpress.The letter is written in Turkish, which is not typical for ASALA’s communication and it reminds more a staff list of Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Budapest, which could be known by the staff of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan. The above mentioned facts indicate that the unverified letter is a simple fabrication of Azertac, to mislead international media community. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev pardoned Ramil Safarov, a life sentenced murderer, after his extradition from Budapest to Baku on August 31, 2012. Hungarian authorities made a decision to extradite an Azerbaijani assassin Safarov to Azerbaijan where he was immediately pardoned by the president of Azerbaijan Ramil Safarov. As a result of this Hungarian-Azerbaijani deal Armenia suspended diplomatic relations with Hungary. On February 19 of 2004 in Budapest Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov slayed with an ax Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan when the latter was sleeping. The two officers were taking part in English language courses in framework of NATO program in Budapest. Hungarian court sentenced Ramil Safarov to life imprisonment, without a right to be pardoned during the first 30 years in jail.

October 12, 2012 | 14:12

ETCHMIADZIN. – The Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II has learned Friday that Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, has passed away at the age of 93 and after a long illness, Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin informs.

Archbishop Manoogian was born in 1919 in a refugee camp near the desert town of Baquba, north of Baghdad, Iraq.

His Beatitude played a vital role in the promotion of international ecumenical relations. He served on the Board of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States, and was Chairman of the Board of “Religion in American Life.” Also, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the “Appeal of Conscience Foundation.”

Archbishop Torkom Manoogian had published some twenty books and monographs, and he was considered a foremost expert and lecturer on the Armenian composer, Komitas.

The following article is being released by Lilit Sedrakyan, Press and Public Affairs Officer, Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles:

Azerbaijan, a country with no expatriate community or economic interests in the West US, established a consulate in Los Angeles a few years ago to wage war on Armenian-Americans. In order to fight this sizeable segment of the US West Coast community, Azerbaijan employs tactics of malicious propaganda, such as the recently placed article, “Armenia Has Lost the War”. Signed by the Azeri Consul General, the article made its public appearance on account of the efforts of high-priced public relation firms and lobbyists.

Armenia and Armenians have been victim to soiled campaigns funded by Azerbaijan’s government since the breakdown of the Soviet Union where several sovereign countries emerged—including Azerbaijan and the Republic of Artsakh. Azerbaijan, rich in oil, attempted to prevent the people of Artsakh from becoming independent and sent troops and warplanes to crack down on civilians. In recent years, this has become a familiar pattern where people take their destiny in their own hands and defy the tyrants who ruthlessly order death squads against school children and helpless elderly.

The people of Artsakh paid a high price for their independence, but won their right to elect their own democratic institutions and raise their children in a free country. The generation living, working and advancing Artsakh today is 21 years old and has not seen Soviet- Azeri occupation. And this generation will never tolerate living under Azerbaijan’s rule with its despotic hereditary regime, medieval hate speech and repugnant racism.

The article mocks the international community – the OSCE’s Minsk Group, co-chaired by France, Russia and the United States and places the onus for the failure to achieve progress on Armenia. The mediation has not resulted in a breakthrough solution yet – but uniquely because of Azerbaijan. The current compromise solution presented by the Minsk group is acceptable by Armenia, while Azerbaijan refuses it even after several modifications to meet its intransigence.

Quoting some dubious statistics meant to testify to Armenia’s vulnerability, the Azeri Consul fails to understand the fundamental root of Armenia’s strength. Due to our harrowing history, we have long become a global nation with a global footprint. Our families are scattered around the world and have global stakes. We remain connected to our homeland with strong bonds and solid relationships. We live with our country through problems and successes to such an extent that Armenia’s issues, including Artsakh’s “frozen conflict” with Azerbaijan, often become domestic issues in third countries.

There should be an attempt on the part of Azerbaijan to overcome its pathological arrogance and understand that in the face of threats, Armenians around the world will mobilize and stand united —from besieged Aleppo to laidback Sao Paolo. The Consulate of Armenia works with the community, day-in, day out and has witnessed this strength and allegiance first hand. This was the case 21 years ago, too, when the people of Artsakh righteously fought for independence.

The Azeri government sees the source of its supremacy over Armenia in Azerbaijan’s oil reserves. Oil is a blessing for any country with responsible governance and civil society. For Azerbaijan, it is a curse! The resources are single-handedly managed by the Aliev Dynasty and little goes into the physical and human infrastructure of the country. Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani citizens live in substandard conditions, but the government spends tens of millions of dollars to awkwardly promote its international prestige. The Azeri leadership’s unbridled frenzy to buy itself an improved image invariably results in embarrassing situations.

War is in no one’s interest. The people of Azerbaijan should not be fooled by the perceived sense of prosperity and military might. They should not be blinded by hate speech and racism. They should not accept militaristic actions of their government—a government that pardons and glorifies a heinous murderer who beheaded his fellow Armenian student in his sleep at a NATO training seminar.

Armenia will continue to depend on its grassroots and build on its only comparative advantage – its people and its desire to build a viable and democratic state. We, in Armenia and all around the world, only hope that Azerbaijan will review its assessment of Armenia’s potential and actual strength, thus sparing us all more bloodshed and destruction.

Source: Panorama.am

12:40, 10 October, 2012

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS: The situation in Aleppo central parts and Christian districts is calm. October 10 morning was also peaceful. Yet the sounds of shells are heard in the outskirts, Berio National Primacy press secretary Jirayr  Reisyan told in the briefing with Armenpress.

In the words of Reisyan our compatriots are joining efforts to clear out and repair their house as much as  they could. At the same time the population is still in panic and cannot indulge in major renovation works afraid of possible shocks. ” One can witness various scenes in Aleppo different districts. Many of them are deserted. Nor Village district is also deserted with ruins of destroyed buildings, closed shops, cafes.There is no access to Close market adjacent territories” Reisyan noted. Yet there are several districts Mokampoy inclusive that are living their normal life. The cafes and shops are open, there is electricity. The streets are populous, no matter people are cautious.

In the words of our compatriot no shelling orchestrated in capital Damascus, however people are afraid of possible blasts. More than 30 thousand people were killed in the course of 18 months ongoing clashes in Syria, including three dozen Syrian Armenians.