Artsakh Republic Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan believes that the option discussed today for the settlement of the conflict will not lead to full security guarantees
– Mr. Harutyunyan, one year of the four-day war in April is coming soon. There were a lot of talks about the gaps and allowed mistakes. We often hear that the frontline is already reinforced, I would like to talk, of course, as much as it is possible to publicize, about what works have been done and what works still need to be done.
– Until April of last year, the army was in our core attention, they were mostly social problems. Thanks to our soldiers, our will and unity, we were able to halt the enemy and report a brilliant victory. Definitely, I consider it a victory despite minor positional losses, the rival was facing us which has allocated tens of billions of dollars to the army. We forced them to make an announcement on the ceasefire on the second-third day, recall the statement of the Azerbaijani side on the establishment of a unilateral ceasefire. What the frontline needed after April was implemented. Today, our border is several times more protected, better equipped and modernized, our soldiers are more relaxed, in other words, we are paying attention to the combativeness of the army every day. We were a bit skeptical to the proverb “If you want peace, get ready for war”, we were suspecting whether a war can be waged … The events in April showed that war may be waged any day, therefore, the authorities of Artsakh and Armenia are doing everything possible in this direction.
– Recently, RA President Serzh Sargsyan mentioned in his speech before the troops and their families in one of the military regiments of the NKR Defense Army, “Today, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armenia without batting an eyelid will give if needed the order to strike with the Iskander.” In early March, S. Sargsyan also announced that if Azerbaijan makes the situation military, we will use all the potentials of our arsenal. Can we state that both Armenian side and Azerbaijani side are preparing for war and it is inevitable?
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– At the end of the 20th century, perhaps many people were convinced that the 21st century will be the century of peace, but we are witnessing what is going on today in the world. The whole world devotes great attention to security and defense. We are located in a region where peace is constantly jeopardized, and secondly, we have an opponent which comes up with militant statements almost every day. Consequently, not only the supreme commander of the country but also all citizens must think every day that if they want to live in peace they must devote the biggest attention to defense.
– Now, let’s talk about RA first President’s speech on the Public Television. Levon Ter-Petrosyan introducing the peace program of the Congress-PPA Alliance said, “If Armenia decisively announces that it is ready to sign the document right today, Azerbaijan cannot refuse. After such readiness by Armenia, all the international pressure will be directed against Azerbaijan.” Mr. Harutyunyan, do you think that Armenia is to blame for there is no progress in the talks? Is it because of Armenia that today it is impossible to continue the talks on the peaceful settlement?
– Having a respect for the RA first president who has ruled Armenia in hard times, in the early years of independence and during the war, I feel sorry that today he is guided by similar viewpoints. There is such a saying in Artsakh: the cow gives milk and then hits to spill over … We won the war imposed on us, why we should lose these achievements. I understand that there are international pressures but the Karabakh problem is not the sole problem in the world, there are many other conflicts. Peace, yes, is a must, but whether such concessions will lead to real peace. As a citizen of Artsakh, I would like to emphasize that the security of Artsakh is more important for me than the status because we can get the status in the first phase but then lose it. However, we can live with today’s status but be more secure. Security is more priority for Artsakh people than the formal status and stability.
– Mr. Harutyunyan, the ANC leader said that the “discrepancies are one or two”, he knows them but did not make them public. Apropos, I would like to remind that on March 6, in Moscow, after the negotiations with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov emphasized that “so far, two or three key topics are not agreed upon, and the discussion of them is underway.” In fact, a few questions are left to be agreed upon, are you as Prime Minister of Artsakh aware which issues are left to agree upon?
– I do not know which are those “one-two” or “two-three” issues. We see that Azerbaijan is preparing for war. Today, voicing about the level of combativeness of the army along with the socio-economic development is a priority for Artsakh. When Azerbaijan realizes and accepts that we have the right to live as an independent unit, at that time, we will discuss with people the possible options for the settlement of the conflict. The option of the settlement which is discussed today will not bring security guarantees. We have had a negative experience with “international peacekeepers.” The ousting of Armenians from Artsakh took place in the Soviet empire and with the help of the Soviet army. Have we forgotten Getashen, Shahumyan, the villages of Hadrut region…? In other words, the security of Artsakh should underlie the settlement, which is also the security of the Republic of Armenia. The April war has changed a lot in our approaches towards the settlement. The presented principles are not in tune with the reality and our needs, especially in the event of aggression towards Artsakh against the background of the inertness by the international community. This is a core issue for the physical security of the people of Artsakh. The war showed that we should rely only on us, Armenia and the Diaspora. Obviously, the settlement process needs a serious reform, and without Artsakh’s participation, it loses its meaning. In my opinion, any document aimed at the settlement of the conflict, the recognition of Artsakh’s independence and security guarantees must be a priority. And the remaining humanitarian matters that incur from the conflict can be discussed after solving the main issues.
– Do you agree with the ANC leader’s allegation that the key to the solution of the Karabakh conflict is in the hands of Russia?
– Of course, not. I agree that Russia has an important role in the conflict settlement process, it has a big influence in this region but the Karabakh conflict solution depends on the will of the two peoples.
– Mr. Harutyunyan, the Artsakh society always had a sympathy towards Russia. After the April war, a great discontent and distrust were raised towards Russia due to the fact that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country has sold weapons to Azerbaijan worth of USD 5 billion, including offensive. What are the sentiments of the society in Artsakh?
– Indeed, we feel sorry that Russia is selling weapons to Azerbaijan, but in Artsakh, we have a more relaxed attitude to it because the people in Artsakh understand that our future depends on us. It is secondary which countries are selling and will sell arms to Azerbaijan, the enemy will always acquire weapons. We must enhance Artsakh in terms of both defense and the economy.
