“…So that the April lessons didn’t remain on the paper, but were learnt in life”
Interview with NA MP Tevan Poghosyan.
Mr. Poghosyan, what purpose does recent statement by Azerbaijani president pursue, where he introduces territorial claims to Armenia?
I wonder that is causes surprise, as we shouldn’t forget that all Azerbaijani leaders promised to wash their feet in Sevan, drink tea in Etchmiadzin, Yerevan is theirs…There is nothing to wonder on account of the fact, that the meeting of Foreign Ministers is anticipated. At the moment I’ll consider touching upon the presidential meeting an anachronism, taking into consideration that one of its supporters—Warlick is no more associated as a MG co-chair.
Maybe he’ll technically continue the responsibilities, however, if a person himself states that he’s leaving, after that he may have a rather technical role and not to undertake any initiative, so that he wasn’t accused of anything.
From all these views statement by Aliyev shouldn’t have caused surprise. Just the contrary, likewise statements or thought flights should be used by Armenian diplomacy in its arsenal, to once again show the real snapshot of Azerbaijan to the world, to stress and enshrine all arguments. Although we have a lot of them, however, one more is worth using. The fact that our Deputy Foreign Minister will reflect to that or people will discuss on Facebook, I think, it isn’t the real approach, but in all the places this should become one of daily accentuations of Armenian diplomats, to show which is the other side and with whom we negotiate.
Of course, they also understand it, the April developments were also enough, however, issues are solved sometimes, when we contribute to it little by little. Since 1991 we are adding new ones to their statements to show that nothing has changed, in particular, when mostly it’s observed that representatives of different European institutes attempt to develop other approaches towards Azerbaijan and state, that Azerbaijan is ready for negotiations, one should sit and talk to him, e.g. within Euronest or European Commission, as well as both with Russia and the U.S. Regarding what will happen after becoming an MP, for 4 years in a row I’m telling the same: war hasn’t ended, I imagine solution to the issue in a lasting fight, so that we should be ready and move forward our issues. And if different Azerbaijani leaders will say something halfway, we should observe them as another possibility to strengthen our Armenian standpoints day by day.
After the April war during the meetings in Vienna and St. Petersburg 3 agreements have been reached, including installation of investigative mechanisms, which haven’t been realized until now. Some Armenian figures observe this as predominance of Azerbaijani power, that it’s the manager of the situation.
Manager of the situation has always been the soldier, who defends the land, and as of today it’s the Armenian Army and Artsakh’s Defense Army together, to stand till the end, and we—the society, will be capable of providing security, through strengthening of different observation systems, different types of armaments, proper clothing, food, and we’ll be owners, nobody will change this situation.
Regarding what’s going on in the field of diplomacy since late June, I’ve repeatedly stated that OSCE financial assistance prepared different projects both towards expansion of Kasprzyk’s office, and installation of mechanisms, to which Azerbaijani ambassador was putting veto every time. The Armenian side should have touched upon it from the very first day, and not wait that the co-chairs said who the guilty is. If they had the purpose not to damage “fragile negotiations,” they received what they received. Activities of the Armenian side at least in Artsakh, also yesterday by Tavush, the frontline has been provided by observation equipment, which means owners of the situation of the Armenian side did their homework without delay, and without waiting for installation of any mechanisms.
This should’ve been thought by the co-chairs, with the honor of whose this was linked to. Firstly, Vienna agreements were headed by the U.S., secondly, St. Petersburg agreements—by Putin, and their honor is being touched upon, as the sides have gathered by their mediation, and the agreements aren’t being implemented. By the way, Aliyev best reflected to this yesterday, that there is no international law, and there is theory of power. Thus, we should be ready for that. If he doesn’t respect his father’s signature of 1994, what the sense in talking to that person on international law or a document?
Expressed by the PM’s style: do I believe in Aliyev’s changing? I don’t. Will there be revolution in Azerbaijan? I don’t know. Would world countries want that? Maybe. However, there are other interests there, and by realizing that those interests are more important at the moment, than NK issue settlement, we should understand our role. Do we have oil interests there? No. what interests do we have? Artsakh issue. So, let’s contribute to the settlement of Artsakhi issue, for that we need to pass something more powerful and better to our next generation. Let’s think about it.
Mr. Poghosyan, on December 9 final report of Artsakhi human rights defender on human rights violations by the Azerbaijani armed forces will be published. What will follow it? The Armenian side also stated on applying to the International Court on tortures by the Azerbaijanis. What do we have to that end? Aren’t we late?
We’re being late, it’s not new in our working style. Everything is in our hands. We’ll introduce the report, work, disseminate, naturally some changes will be recorded. If not, it’ll become another report, which will be discussed in social networks, some will read, some-will not, and that’s all. Throughout recent years we had many likewise situations, when I always said that use of adopted document or any likewise report in international instances is in our hands. Consistent, daily work gives a result.
By that Azerbaijan convinced the whole world, and now others repeat about 20% occupied territories, 1 million migrants. We were saying: who will believe, but many say the same now, despite they know or not, it’s becoming a stereotype, and they’re using it. And we should state much, so that when Azerbaijan attempts touching upon the April war, they’ll say to him: the one which you cut these much heads and ears and etc., so that Azerbaijan itself was afraid to use that method. We should introduce the reality on UN formulas, that Azerbaijan itself was afraid to use.
The side, which is strong, not lazy and didn’t lose hope and performed daily work, will record a result. And this atmosphere is being developed, when your perception is being changed, when you realize that the war hasn’t ended, you live in war, in the psychology of written and unwritten rules, where every Minister, Deputy Minister, ordinary person would think of contributing to it or not, prior to making any decision.
The Ombudsman of Artsakh with his own efforts, without any international support prepared a perfect report, which will show Artsakh with all its possibilities, however, Armenia should serve its possibilities to that, the Diaspora as well. And this will lead to changes with the effect of a snowball. If this isn’t done we’ll have weak influence and reflection. And in this case we can’t blame anyone, it’ll turn out that the April lessons will remain on paper, however, not learnt in life.
By Gayane Khachatryan
