“They should be destroyed, as they already approach our territory”

In annual report of the US National Intelligence, in which assessments are given to world challenges, there was a reflection to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations as well and the situation on the line of contact. In particular, it’s mentioned in the report that in April 2016 tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan grew due to Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the sides don’t intend to go to mutual concessions, thus in 2017 possibility of resumption of wide-scale military operations is maintained. “168 Hours” interviewed Lieutenant-General Norat Ter-Grigoryants, former head of the general staff of Armenia (1992-1995) and Acting Defense Minister (1993), Artsakh war hero, touching upon the report and other issues.

Mr. General, how would you comment on the report issues by US National Intelligence, is the opportunity on resumption of wide-scale military operations really maintained?

From the side of Azerbaijan, that aggressive, terror state, as last April by cutting ears of peaceful civilians, beheading them and etc., they showed they are terrorists, and everything should be anticipated from them. Moreover, recently Azerbaijan and Turkey launched joint military exercises in the territory of Azerbaijan. In these very mountain areas, along the line of military operations, and not on plains or dessert terrain. And mountainous is Karabakh and Armenia.

For this very reason they may undertake steps at any moment. Such military exercises are planned for coordination, organization of cooperation and development of plan on military operations or confirmation. Under current state of affairs our issue is bring our forces to full martial readiness, prepare the population on the border with no panic, that they knew and weren’t afraid and were ready to everything, including throwing the adversary back. We don’t attack, we don’t need to attack.

We don’t want anything else, let them free our taken territories—Lowland Karabakh, Shahumyan and etc. That’s why as soon as they cross River Kura, they should be destroyed, as they already approach our territory, and not allow them approach our positions.

Why is the US intelligence touching upon the possibility of wide-scale military operations now, what does this mean?

Maybe Mr. Trump warns us, Armenians, to get ready to counteract the enemy. It’s better that this is touched upon by the USA. As Turkey is a NATO member state, and Azerbaijan is a second Turkish state. The USA is a superpower, it should be frank and suspend Turkish infringement. Turkey is an unprecedented side, that Mr. Erdogan take some actions everywhere, he destroyed entire Syria and may even commit genocide in Europe. maybe the US hints that Turkey again launched its hooliganism.

By Baku’s demand OSCE Yerevan Office will be closed what implication will it have?

Yes, it isn’t favorable for them, that OSCE Office functioned here. OSCE Office in Baku was closed a few years ago, and now they want to do the same here, as OSCE prevents them from implementing their intentions. And when the OSCE will have no representation in the region, it’s also preparation for war. We should implement a rather serious diplomatic work, we should prove the UNO, Security Council, Europe, everywhere, show by maps, that Karabakh is our land. Negotiations should be launched with Russia, and not Azerbaijan. We have nothing to speak to Azerbaijan. And God forbid, if we return areas.

If we concede 1cm, they’ll take 3km. I’m a heir of former Turkish citizen. 1.5 million Armenians were massacred in Turkey, now they need to connect Turkey and Azerbaijan by land, then move to Ural, Yakutia and etc. This is the ideology of pan-Turkism. That’s why they use every means. And we need to oppose.

There is a view in Armenia, that closure of OSCE Yerevan Office is Moscow’s initiative and Moscow intends to suspend functioning of that European organization through Baku.

No, it’s nonsense. Who says it, she/he would better study military and political situation, and politics in general.

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov recently stated that in fight against the Islamic State Russia may bring the military base deployed in Gyumri as well. In your opinion, what can that military base do in fight against extremists?

Lavrov made a rather smart statement. And terrorists are the armies of Turkey and Azerbaijan. If it’s so, it means Russia supports Armenia so that terrorists didn’t penetrate into the Armenian territory. And they are separate terrorists, they are groupings. When they attacked Artsakh last April, terrorists, Islamists comprised a large number among those fighting for the adversary. They were Turkish troops, Turkish militants, more clearly—terrorists, who acted under the cover of the army. And if Lavrov said it, it’s very good.

We need to support Russia in that issue, as it refers to protection of Armenia, our homeland. Recently head of Chief Staff of Russian Armed Forces stated that a few thousand Islamists have moved to Afghanistan, where they may unite and hit Tajikistan. And that state is a CSTO member, i.e. their purpose is that Russia withdrew its troops from Syria and moved there and weaken its positions there.

It’s politics. They intend to withdraw Russia from Syria, so that in Syria they could do what they intended—destroying Assad. And this isn’t in line with Russian interests, the latter shouldn’t be afraid and stay there. And our army together with the Russian military base, should be ready to counteract any attack, defend Armenian lands and not to allow entry of terrorists. We shouldn’t allow weakening of Russia and should be with Russia till the end, otherwise we’ll be destroyed as well.

By Gayane Khachatryan