Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, during the press conference with the Russian Foreign Minister, said concerning the Berdzor corridor: “Suppose some citizens want to cross with their cars and are psychologically constrained in this matter, especially if they are crossing for the first time. I want to remind you that the length of the Lachin Corridor is 32 km, where Azerbaijani activists are standing is only 100 meters, the maximum is 200 meters, and Russian peacekeepers are standing next to them. In an extreme case, they may turn to Russian peacekeepers to accompany them.”
Gegham Stepanyan, Artsakh Human Rights Defender, and the guest of the “Aravot”s program “Areresum” (“Confrontation”) said in this regard: “And what should we apply for? And what business do those so-called “environmentalists” have in that area, where, based on the tripartite declaration, they should not have access in any way? That entire area is under the jurisdiction of Russian peacekeepers, and we last saw an Azerbaijani presence in that area 2 years ago. Where did they decide that their so-called “environmentalists” should appear there, and we should think about how to guarantee our people’s free and safe movement? ”
Jeyhun Bayramov also demanded that Minister of State Ruben Vardanyan leave Artsakh. “He must leave the region, and the sooner, the better. First, it affects the local population, whose reintegration it prevents. Because there were positive contacts in that direction before his appearance, we believe this factor is harmful and destructive. We also call on the interested parties to contribute to the reintegration process of the Armenian population.”
Gegham Stepanyan answered the question: Are there supporters of “reintegration” in Artsakh? “I rule out that there are supporters of reintegration in Artsakh. The Artsakh people’s will was reaffirmed during the multi-thousand rally held in Stepanakert. According to various estimates, 40-50 thousand people participated, that is, 80 percent of the population of Stepanakert and a large number of participants from the regions. In other words, Azerbaijan has created a region for itself; it has started to believe that the people of Artsakh can go for integration. Not reintegration, but integration. We have never been integrated to be reintegrated. Even during the Soviet period, Artsakh never considered itself integrated into Azerbaijani society; its culture guided it and its language, preserving the full Armenian. Azerbaijan should eventually wake up and understand that this nation will never go to “integration.” Let’s assume some leaders will go that way. Their lives will not last long.”
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To the observation that there were still contacts, say, with Vitaly Balasanyan, regarding the Sarsang reservoir, the HRD of Artsakh replied: “There were contacts. Even now, there are contacts, and negotiations are underway regarding the reopening of the road, with the involvement of various representatives of Artsakh authorities. We have always mentioned that the contacts are only within the framework of infrastructural and humanitarian issues. Those contacts will never refer to integration or, as they say, reintegration. And suppose at any moment, an opportunity or a platform for communication on political issues is formed. In that case, the position of the Artsakh side will remain as it was; Artsakh will never be a part of Azerbaijan in any status.”
David Galstyan, the head of the “Justice” faction of the Artsakh parliament, informed that during the contact with the deputies and State Minister Ruben Vardanyan in the villages of Martuni, Martakert, and Askeran, he witnessed how the people of Artsakh were upset with Armenia’s passivity. “They said that the Armenian government continues to sell Artsakh planned. They blamed them for not acting on the situation, that the RA government was acting as an observer and left the fate of 120,000 Armenians to the whims of luck.”
To the question of how common such sentiments are in Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan answered that they indeed exist. “And it is terrible that these sentiments exist in connection with the Armenian society and the government. We don’t benefit from it. The unity since the 80s had to continue to achieve clear results.”
Will he agree with the bitter record that most people living in Armenia are not concerned about Artsakh and the Motherland; they are solving issues of the Christmas tree and New Year’s table? In response, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh said: “We have hurtful things to do, both here and in Artsakh. Issues of truly national significance are secondary, tertiary issues. And people, unfortunately, we have to record that they pay more attention to domestic issues than to the issues of preserving the Motherland and our Armenianness. It has no short-term solution. We must also solve the issue through education so that people eventually turn their attention to the Motherland, Armenian protection, to understand that it is one, and every effort should be made to preserve it.”
ANNA ISRAYELYAN
