Artsakh-Azerbaijan-Armenia: Who does not Understand the Value of Peace?

• 07.27.2015, 09:46
• Greta Avetisyan
•  Region,  "Insight" Analytical Center ,  World,  Armenia,  NKR,  Analytics

After the European Games in Baku the situation on the Artsakh-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Azerbaijani borders became tenser and the number of ceasefire violations more and more. Though this is not something unexpected, moreover, it was quite predictable, there are some small, but noteworthy nuances that one needs to pay attention.

Recently Azerbaijan has started using new types of weapons with higher calibers, they also use grenades and mortars. The main aim of such change is to cause maximum losses on the frontline, as with its previous methods they did not have many results. However, the Azerbaijani authorities, seems, have not taken into consideration one small, but important thing – it is not because of their weapons that they do not "succeed," it is the high spirit of Armenian soldiers, their good military preparedness and love towards their homeland that hinders Azerbaijanis fulfill what they have intended. "Today, the Armenian soldier has a high fighting spirit, all Armenian subdivisions are endowed with the respective moral and psychological condition, and they carry out their tasks," the RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said recently in regard with the tense situation on the borders, NEWS.am reports. During the recent period, however, taking into consideration the unruly behavior of the Azerbaijani side both the Armenian and the Karabakh sides not only suppressed the actions of the opponent, but also gave counter-attacks, asymmetric in their nature. "We are ready not only to counterattack, but also to punish them multiple times more," as lragir.am reports, Seyran Ohanyan said. In his turn the Spokesperson of the President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Davit Babayan said: "Artsakh has always responded and continues responding to any provocations. We will prevent the aggression of the enemy," Artsakhpress writes. Our last response action was so asymmetric that a country which has always hidden its casualties on the borders, declared about one killed and 8 injuries.

Unfortunately this is the only language left to speak with Azerbaijan, though despite the Azerbaijani authorities we do not stop saying that it is only due to confidence building measures and creation of new mechanisms that parties can achieve dialogue and mutual understanding. "We do not have to use force, but to create an atmosphere of trust," NEWS.am quotes RA Defense Minister’s words. The same, however, cannot be said about the Azerbaijani side. In response to Seyran Ohanyan’s calls to stop the war rhetoric and threats to use force, adding that instead of trying to engage in something serious, they threaten, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan said: "Seyran Ohanyan seems to have amnesia. He forgot about the losses of Armenia's Armed Forces in August of last year and early this year, when they were carrying the bodies of the soldiers with vehicles. We have to remind Seyran Ohanyan about the force of Azerbaijani soldiers – by the way in the nearest future." What is this if not a threat voiced without any fear of being called as a violator of the ceasefire? Even the Karabakh side, which has passed through many difficulties – war, continues threats, shootings, a ountry, where the situation of no war, no peace prevails, has never spoken with threats. This is not because it cannot or is afraid. No and it has not once shown that if needed, it will give a corresponding response. The only reason is that it just understands it quite well that armed clashes are not solution to the conflict. In an interview to Gala TV the Prime Minister of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan said: "Over time hostility in people's thinking should be eradicated in order to prevent a possible recurrence of the conflict. This is the only way." At the same time Artsakh continuously calls on the international community to demonstrate its position on what Azerbaijan does, otherwise the latter will feel encouraged.

This is another important factor for the escalation of the situation on the borders. On the background of the tense relations between the West and Russia, Azerbaijan is seen as an alternative country with energy resources. This restrains the West from coming up with any announcements that would "offend" Azerbaijan, which, however, puts under question the objectivity of Europe and its adherence to its values. The last joint declaration of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs after their visit to the region, is a vivid demonstration of the approach of Europe adopted long ago. Expressing concern over the escalation of the situation, the Co-Chairs failed to indicate the real violator of the ceasefire, a thing, which once they dared to do – calling Azerbaijan to restrain from violations. Isn’t it the time for the OSCE MG Co-Chairs change their approach, be more objective and clearly mention the side that violates the ceasefire. Won’t it restore the feeling of the sides that they should take this format seriously and not just something that acts mostly as a symbol in this conflict?