‘There was not such a concept like Azerbaijan in ancient manuscripts till 1918’
A conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh from the position of Armenia
The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh calmed down a bit. However, both parties – the Armenian and the Azerbaijani – are finding out who opened the fire first and whose this territory is. Both countries have their own arguments. And the Press Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to the Russian Federation Levon Torgomyan notes in an interview with Realnoe Vremya that the people who are living there should define the future of Artsakh (the Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh).
A region populated by Armenians since the old says
Mr. Torgomyan, why is Armenia interested in Nagorno-Karabakh?
There are historical aspects. We can talk about this topic for a long time. A remoter story, the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, the announcement with the help of the referendum on its independence, secession from Azerbaijan SSR can be given as an example. At that moment, it was an autonomous region of Azerbaijan SSR. Practically the majority of the population in Karabakh in those days was Armenian.
So, how did it happen that a territory populated by Armenians turned out to be Azerbaijani?
It was a decision of the Soviet administration in the 20s of the last century.
What legal status does the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic have now?
It is a not recognized republic.
'There are historical aspects. We can talk about this topic for a long time.' Photo: pravda-tv.ru
Is not it recognized by either the international community or Armenia?
It is not.
Why is this territory so valuable for the Armenians?
It is as valuable as all historical lands. The Armenians have been living there since the old days – like it was 200, 300, 700 or maybe 1,500 years ago.
In other words, Mr. Torgomyan, do you suppose that the Armenians had been living on this territory when the Azerbaijani and their ancestors came there?
Azerbaijan declared the creation of its government in 1918. There was not such a concept like Azerbaijan in any ancient manuscripts before that. You can search if you are interested.
Before that, when the Russian Empire participated in Caucasian Wars in the 18th-19th centuries, a territory of today's Georgia was freed while the Army was advancing. Heraclius II of Georgia made a decision to join the Russian Empire because the Russian Army, which waged a war on Persia, was successful, moved further and entered the territory of today's Transcaucasia. Georgia was divided between two countries – the Ottoman Empire and Persia (Iran now).
If the Ancient Greek have any mention about the Georgians, we would like to look for a mention about the Azerbaijanis, not even in the Ancient Greek documents but closer in time.
'Negotiations within the scope of the Minsk Group of OSCE are being held, where the Russian Federation, France and the United States of America co-chair. And the negotiations on peaceful settlement are also being conducted in this format.' Photo: report.az
International players
What or who impedes a peaceful settlement of the conflict? Who stands to profit from the conflict?
Negotiations within the scope of the Minsk Group of OSCE are being held, where the Russian Federation, France and the United States of America co-chair. And the negotiations on peaceful settlement are also being conducted in this format. They had being carried out, continued and were quite successful.
Who stands to gain from the escalation of the conflict? Many players maybe. I cannot say.
Turkey is mentioned, in particular.
I cannot state it. In any case, Azerbaijan started to conduct military actions, it is what was declared by the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation Polad Bülbüloğlu. He is also cited in particular.
So, what is the role of Russia in the settlement of the conflict?
The role of the Russian Federation as a member and co-chairman of the Minsk Group of OSCE is significant and weighty. It is working on a peaceful settlement.
'The people of Nagorno-Karabakh should define the future'
Does the location of a military base of Russia in Gyumri stop Azerbaijan from attacking the Armenians' positions?
The base has other tasks. It has nothing to do with it.
The thing is that we were given the following opinion: if Azerbaijan and Armenia met one-to-one without any interference of external players, Azerbaijan would win the war owing to the armament and resource superiority. Will you agree with it?
I would question the statement that they have more resources and possibilities. A relative armistice was renewed on 5 April only because fire comes from their party, there are fatalities, it was stated by the Armenian party. Saying 'if they met one-to-one' is a concept of two individualities, and we are speaking about countries. If it corresponded to the reality, they would decide all tasks that they had set. But they failed.
In your opinion, what is the future of Nagorno-Karabakh?
I hope to see a peaceful beautiful future.
As an independent territory or as a part of Azerbaijan or Armenia?
The people of Nagorno-Karabakh, who expressed their desire in 1991, should define the future.
Thank you for your answers.