The interlocutor of “Aravot” is Metakse Hakobyan, deputy of the “Justice” faction of the Artsakh Parliament
– After Araik Harutyunyan’s sensational announcement that Artsakh’s right to self-determination is the inalienable right of the people of Artsakh and they are against discussing the issue in another way, but if there are figures and forces in Artsakh who want to discuss integration with Azerbaijan, they are accessible in their discussions, according to your observations are there such people in Artsakh? Were there such initiatives or activities?
– There have never been such a person in Artsakh, and even more so, there are no such forces. That statement once again showed that the Artsakh President was acting under duress. If Araik Harutyunyan were to speak directly about integration with Azerbaijan, it would turn out that he is essentially committing a crime, subverting the Constitution. But, with such a statement, he once again showed that for what he in Artsakh, for what he is at all, he is no longer capable of protecting them.
The President of Artsakh has several powers: ensuring the sovereignty of Artsakh, ensuring territorial integrity, and ensuring security. Therefore, his statement was similar to overthrowing the constitutional order or another attempt. It was another demonstration that we have a president in the country who is incapable, unable, and has not even understood the powers of the President of the Republic of Artsakh. And in Artsakh, there was not, there is not, and there will never be a person who would ever think that it is possible to integrate and live with Azerbaijan.
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– Ilham Aliyev’s staff invited the “Armenian community of Karabakh” representatives to hold the next meeting in Baku.
– Lies and aggression characterize Azerbaijan’s actions; they have an obvious agenda and will purposefully destroy Artsakh and the Armenians living there. It is impossible to expect anything else from Azerbaijan, especially considering the authorities in Armenia and Artsakh. Against this background, the enemy’s behavior is legitimate. We see that aggression every day. Having brought the humanitarian crisis to its peak, they do not miss any opportunity to kill and destroy the Armenians in Artsakh.
So, all their other actions are not for us but to show the world that they are ready to live side by side with Armenians in the same area, ensuring the safety and rights of Armenians there. Unfortunately, Nikol Pashinyan also conducts this policy today. But we know very well who our neighbor is. Just three days ago, they killed three citizens of the Republic of Artsakh, three police officers who were just going to perform their duty.
– Still, is it possible to witness that there will be people in Artsakh who will accept Aliyev’s invitation and go to Baku?
– The invitation is first addressed to the authorities; if they go, the representatives of the rules should go; I cannot say what position they will take. Since December 3, we have often said that any issue, including humanitarian cases, cannot be discussed with Azerbaijan, especially since it is not the principle of equals that works, but some ethnic minority that can have a representative. We have often said that the discussions in the humanitarian field will lead to greater demands and tremendous pressures, which we witnessed. In essence, with such a move, we found ourselves at a dead end, due to the lack of knowledge and thoughtless actions of the Artsakh Government.
– In the background of all this, are there any processes, initiatives, or processes taking place in Artsakh, or are people desperate and depressed from the long-term blockade, all these conversations and uncertainties, waiting for imposed decisions?
– The people of Artsakh are not in despair but not depressed. Of course, there is a little distress, also in the sense that people saw former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan as a leader who, as a state official, could unite the people around him. Along with all that, during the short period of his tenure, people saw signs of social justice, which has now been put into the background again; it is quite an unmanageable situation from a social point of view, with terrible inflation – astronomical prices in shops for the few products that are available in Artsakh, and more. But all the same, there is no depression or weakness among people. And there are fermentations, and one positive thing is noticed in them: a process of self-organization is visible.
We are also not without a part; recently, as you know, the three parties created an inter-party body. We work very actively on the public platform without pursuing party interests. As a result of the meetings, people have the will, the mind, and the ideas to overcome the created situation, but sometimes people cannot stand each other because the government managed to divide. Now, we are doing the opposite thing and see people’s willingness. It’s true, slowly, but people understand that a lot depends on everyone and that everyone can change something. In any case, there is the idea, trust, and loyalty to it: we will succeed and keep Artsakh Armenian.
Interview: Nelly GRIGORYAN
“Aravot” daily 14.03.2023
