The second President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, referring to the tension at the border during an interview with three news outlets, said that what is taking place at the border is a small portion of the bigger picture. In his opinion, aside from the incidents in Yeraskh, there are also the issues of Lake Sev and the many Azerbaijani soldiers on Armenian territory. “This is the logical continuation of everything happening to Armenia both during the war and in the post-war period. We showed that we no longer have teeth. We do not have the opportunity to provide a dignified response, nor do we wish to. Azerbaijan will push forth its agenda through such means.
As far as what goal Azerbaijan is pursuing, Robert Kocharyan said that Azerbaijan’s goal has been the complete occupation of Artsakh since the beginning. That plan remained unfinished due to Russian intervention. “Now, yes, they will try to achieve their goal through different means of pressure. A portion of our people is terrified of the danger of a new war, and I think this circumstance had a significant impact on the election results, as we have accepted our defeat and do not expect and do not want this government to take any steps so that a new conflict will not be suddenly provoked. Today, a defeatist psychology prevails among a part of our people. It can be the following: after such provocations, a situation is being established where the threat of a new war becomes visible for the people, and the people easily digest the signing of another document and another concession. In other words, the situation has developed as such where the signing of such a document will be accepted not as a betrayal, but as salvation.”
Nelly Babayan
