The Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation issued on Aug. 4 an announcement condemning Azerbaijan’s recent aggression toward Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, and called for the immediate signing of a military agreement between Armenia and Artsakh. Below is the translated text of the announcement.
In recent days, the threats by Azerbaijan on the borders of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Armenia have increased. Constant shelling, sniper attacks, and other diversion tactics are claiming the lives of soldiers and civilians.
Azerbaijan is disproportionally arming itself using petrodollars, and in the absence of a proper reaction from the international community, especially the mediating sides, it is leading the region to war.
Azerbaijan’s strategy has always been to avoid tri-partite negotiations with the participation of Artsakh, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, and to force Armenia and Artsakh into concessions by threatening war. Thus, Azerbaijan has become the side sabotaging negotiations, as a consequence of which 20 years after the ceasefire the conflict remains unresolved.
To end the current dangerous situation, we call on:
Azerbaijan to refrain from irresponsible, short-sighted operations, the result of which will result in severe consequences on its own citizens;
The [OSCE Minsk Group] Co-chairmen to refrain from generalizations, which embolden the actual culprit to escape from responsibility and allow it to become more relentless. At the same time, we demand concrete steps to resume the negotiations with the full participation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and the signing of a non-aggression agreement.
An end to the sale of weapons of mass destruction and all military equipment to Azerbaijan, as such action run counter to efforts to establish lasting peace in the region.
The ARF is convinced that the signing of military-political treaty between Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is an imperative. Such an agreement would create a legal foundation for the two Armenian states stemming from basic international rights and the need to guarantee safety, and allow for a more productive and concerted strategy.
The main deterrent to war and Azeri aggression is the coordinated development and strengthening of the two Armenian states, the unified stance of the entire Armenian nation, and the unwavering spirit and resolve of the Armenian armed forces.
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A timely and most appropriate announcement, but yet not strong and forceful enough.
It has taken too long to negotiate a lasting non-aggression agreement. It is understandable that the Azeri government is reluctant and sabotaging all diplomatic efforts. What is though most frustrating and disappointing is that the OSCE Minsk Group has not been aggressively pursuing the negotiated settlement, has been ineffective, totally inept, and sadly has been creating more problems than leading to a solution.
There must be diplomatic-political considerations and arguments on why the RoA has not signed a treaty with Nagorno-Karabakh. The time has come to act and sign the treaty. The status quo cannot continue; What can happen that is worse than now?
Vart Adjemian
It is time to get Artsakh united as Armenia and reinforce the land and border !