Davit Babayan. “Shushi, as a city of Artsakh, even with a certain Azerbaijani population, was much more preferable than․․․”
– Mr. Babayan, the President of Artsakh recently called on the people of Artsakh to return to Artsakh. Are there any returnees at the moment? What conditions have been created for them? Where will the people whose settlements are currently under the control of Azerbaijan return to?
– Dozens of buses and other cars bring the people of Artsakh to Artsakh from Yerevan and other places every day. Of course, it is desirable for everyone to return. So, Stepanakert will achieve its former glory, and all this is the ultimate goal. I think it is a matter of time – everyone should return.
Of course, not everyone is returning at the moment, but this is not a social issue, there are some difficulties, but gas supply, water supply, etc. have been restored, and people are thinking about their future. Nevertheless, I think most of the people of Artsakh will return. Besides, a certain part of the population of different regions of Artsakh occupied by Azerbaijan will find shelter here. On the other hand, we will see how it will be, but it is natural that we will do everything for people to return. But we should avoid situations when people return and there is no place for them to stay, especially for the displaced. Therefore, all the necessary conditions must be in place for their return to be organized and thorough.
– Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview on November 17 what conditions he offered to Nikol Pashinyan to end the war. According to the Russian President, the Azeri refugees should have returned to Shushi, which would be under the control of the Armenian side and Russian peacekeepers. However, the RA Prime Minister did not agree with this offer. In your opinion, was this an acceptable option for the Armenian side?
– Well, let me answer the question, which was better, especially since we compare it with the current situation with a lost Shushi that creates pain like Mount Ararat? Obviously, Mount Ararat and Ani were not enough… We had to add Shushi, or would it be preferable for a number of Azeris to return, with the presence of Russian peacekeepers there? If we compare with the current situation, of course, although it is incomparable, Shushi as a city of Artsakh, even with a certain Azerbaijani population, was much more preferable than looking at Shushi like at Mount Ararat, like at Ani as a lost capital. But now we are in this situation. I think any Armenian you ask will prefer the first option, Shushi in Artsakh, although with some Azerbaijani residents. This is my personal opinion.
– In that case, why didn’t the Armenian side take that step? And the President of Azerbaijan has already stated several times that the question of the status of Artsakh is no more on the table. It was resolved in this war, does this concern the Armenian side at all?
– Why this happened, I think, is a question you should address not to me. As for Aliev’s statements, let me say that Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan. They have occupied most of our territories, but they have not been able to destroy Artsakh. Artsakh will not be part of Azerbaijan, especially now.
– The trilateral document published on November 10, as many describe it, was deadly for Artsakh and Armenia. What should we do in those conditions?
– This was one of the heaviest, most horrible blows in our entire history that we have ever received. Do we deserve them? I think this is the result of our mistakes that we should not blame anyone or any external force for what happened. What should we do now to revive Artsakh? Now Artsakh is in the “intensive care ward”, we must save it. Let us make radical changes in our worldview, in our way of life, in society, both in Armenia and in Artsakh. Let us be brothers, caring for one another, not enemies.
The Artsakh of 1992 was different from today’s Artsakh, the society there had other ideas, they were united, a different atmosphere prevailed, it was not such a difficult atmosphere. The society, ideology, and worldview of that time were different from today. We must revive our values and traditions.
– Realistically, after all this, can we ever liberate Shushi, taking into account the heavy blow we received, the geopolitical changes that took place during this war?
– Everything depends on us. Unfortunately, our society is sick, full of defects. If we get rid of those defects, then everything is possible. We need prophets in the true sense of the word, be it in life, in the social-political sphere, in science, etc. If this is the case, then we will celebrate victories that we do not even imagine in this broken and shattered state. But there will be victories if we can do the points I said.
The Artsakh of 1992 was different from today’s Artsakh, the society there had other ideas, they were unit.
