What solid arguments does Moscow have to turn a blind eye on Aliyev’s provocative and cynical policy?
The fact remains that Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, the turn to Russia after blowing up the EU Association Agreement, costs quite high in terms of preservation of relative peace in the Contact line.
No one can dispute the obvious fact that in recent months the enemy’s cynicism has reached the peak. By establishing a dictatorship in his country, Aliyev seems to be playing a “brave” “patriot” in the border.
Though, recently, pretty tough statements are voiced by the international community, particularly the United States, addressed to Azerbaijan government authorities, even the question of appropriateness of imposing sanctions against Azerbaijan is raised, by and large, however, by applying subversive activities from time to time, by constantly keeping the Contact line in tension, Azerbaijan does not bear responsibility. But, this is the other side of this issue, and certainly, the Armenian diplomacy has a problem of serious review of the activities. There is a need to adopt a new working style with international structure and different countries, and the time of putting equal signs between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the time of “balanced” statements and calls have elapsed long ago. In this regard, it is necessary to conduct consistent work.
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Our expectations of the civilized world, the countries and structures bearing western universal values, of course, are appropriate and totally justified. But along all of this, another important factor is forgotten.
Prior to September 3, 2013, the authorities, Russian influence-faithful “experts” unanimously were claiming one thing: the EEC membership will guarantee the security of Armenia and Karabakh, even more, will reduce the possibility of an outbreak of war. The popular events of recent months, the unprecedented tension in July-August, downing of Armenian helicopter in November, and constant subversive actions have increased the risk of an outbreak of war by Azerbaijani more than ever.
Let us recall the most recent examples. On January 2, the morning of January 3, the Azerbaijani armed forces initiated 2 subversive intelligence acts in the direction of south and east of defense army border positions, and during resistance of the enemy, soldiers Karen Grigoryan and Mkrtchyan were killed.
On January 11, Voskevan village resident Hrant Sargsyan, born in 1935, who was gone for shepherding, was killed due to the shooting from positions of Ghushchi-Ayrum, Khazakh region. After this case, Bağanis-Voskepar sector of Armenia-Georgia interstate highway was closed. Bağanis community leader Narek Sahakyan informed that the Azerbaijanis shelling damaged two houses in the village, the bullets had damaged the walls, window frames and broke the glasses of the windows. Because of Azerbaijani fire, Vazashen-Paravakar road was also closed.
Recently, another shocking fact happened. In the Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan contact line, a fire was opened in the direction of OSCE observers who were conducting monitoring. According to release of Karabakh Foreign Affairs Ministry, the fire was opened by the Azerbaijani side. The monitoring was conducted in the direction of Hadrut, therefore, a preliminary agreement was reached between the two sides. According to the official Stepanakert, when the observers were moved to the frontline, the OSCE representatives have decided to stop the monitoring because of the shots released by the Azerbaijani side. Official Baku, like in other cases, accuses the Armenian side claiming that the fire was opened by the Armenian side.
In other words, it reaches the point that the Azerbaijani side is already implementing operations against people who are conducting an observing mission. This is a serious blow to the peace process within the OSCE Minsk Group, which periodically appears in a deadlock in the result of Baku policy, and great efforts are required from intermediate states to make the parties sit down at the negotiating table and at least to urged them to alleviate the tension in the contact line.
Now, a question. Why doesn’t Armenia’s “strategic partner” Russia take necessary steps in the event that already the residencies of the Republic of Armenia are bombed and civilians are killed?
Let’s leave “Moscow business” with Aliyev and multi-billion deals of arms with Azerbaijan aside. Interestingly, what bothers Russia once to be the first to initiate, issue a condemning statement, and it is desirable to make it clear that Azerbaijani provocative actions are giving rise to serious concern.
Maybe Russia has solid reasons to turn a blind eye to Aliyev’s provocative actions and cynical policy against Armenia, a Eurasian Economic Union membership country, as well as against Karabakh.
Emma GABRIELYAN
