Sarkisian Threatens to Recognize NKR; Criticizes International Community’s Silence

Armenian President Blasts Turkey’s Role in Baku Aggression

YEREVAN (A.W.)—“Should [Azerbaijani] military actions continue and escalate into larger scales, the Republic of Armenia will recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabagh,” Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian told ambassadors of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) member states summoned for a meeting on April 4.

“Further escalation of [Azerbaijani] military actions may result in unpredictable and irreversible consequences, including an all-out war. It will obviously affect the security and stability not only of the South Caucasus but also the entire European area,” said Sarkisian.

President Sarkisian speaking to the Ambassadors on April 4 (photo: president.am)
President Sarkisian speaking to the ambassadors on April 4 (Photo: president.am)

 

Sarkisian Criticizes International ‘Silence’

Sarkisian said that Armenia’s concerns over Azerbaijan’s “Armenophobic rhetoric” and the potential for a “new military adventurism” had gone unheeded. He went on to criticize the silence of the international community in the face of Baku’s “bragging about the acquisition of arms and weaponry in profound quantities.”

“When statements about seeking military solution to the problem were being made at the highest levels, the international community remained almost silent. When Azerbaijan was derailing the work of the OSCE Minsk Group and turning down the proposals to create confidence building mechanisms, the international community again kept silence. And today, the international community is again silent as we see how Azerbaijan uses heavy artillery and bombards the peaceful population,” said Sarkisian, adding, “By the way, literally minutes ago the Azeri Armed Forces for the first time used a heavy flame-thrower system.”

Sarkisian drew attention to Aliyev’s false rhetoric of “tolerance” and juxtaposed it with the brutal murder of civilians over the weekend. “Hostilities of this magnitude have not been registered since the establishment of the ceasefire in 1994,” he said. “Provocative attacks of the Azeri side…continue as we speak. Azerbaijan continues to target civilians, using multiple rocket launchers and mortars.”

Sarkisian stressed that as a party to the 1994 ceasefire agreement, Armenia would uphold its obligation to “ensure the security of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh.” He said he has instructed the Armenian Foreign Affairs Ministry to “work with Nagorno-Karabagh to elaborate an agreement on mutual military assistance.”

Sarkisian also criticized calls for “restraint” when it comes to counter-measures taken by Karabagh.

 

Sarkisian Blasts Turkey’s Role in Baku Aggression

Sarkisian delivering his remarks on April 4 (photo: president.am)
Sarkisian delivering his remarks on April 4 (Photo: president.am)

Sarkisian also condemned Turkey’s role in the recent violence. “[Turkey] is acting from a position of inciting a great war in the region and is explicitly encouraging the adventuristic policy of the Azerbaijani leadership,” he said. “Azerbaijan is bragging about its alleged victory, and Turkey congratulates it on that occasion, while the international community condemns the use of force in Nagorno-Karabagh, although only in words.”

Sarkisian stressed that Turkey should have no place in the Karabagh peace process, as evidenced by its recent rhetoric supporting Baku’s aggression. “Turkey is the only country to provide unwavering support to the Azerbaijani adventurism. The statements made by Ankara before and after this situation—through which this country seems to compete with Azerbaijan with its anti-Armenian stance—can form a new hotbed of tension in the region, something in which Turkey has experience in the Near East,” said Sarkisian. “All those who wished to see Turkey among the mediators now understand that the country, having adopted the approach of the so-called ‘blood-kinship security,’ should be completely kept away from the process of the Karabagh conflict resolution.”

 

Sarkisian’s Three Points

The president went on to list three points that the ambassadors should relay to their capitals—that the concerned parties must (1) “clearly demand an explanation” from Baku about the instigation of military operations; (2) “address the cause of the conflict”; and (3) note that Azerbaijan has not “liberated territories.”

“I can assure you that Azerbaijan hasn’t liberated any territory. At this moment along the whole line of contact there is only a tiny segment in the south and another tiny segment in the north (which hopefully will no longer exist by the end of this meeting). This means that Azerbaijan has made an advance of merely 200-300 meters. For every meter, they have lost more than one person,” said Sarkisian, who stressed that reports of Azeri territorial gains are aimed at spreading misinformation.

The president spoke about the need for the OSCE to put in place ceasefire violation investigation mechanisms and to increase the number of OSCE personnel on the ground.

Sarkisian also said that “whether they like it or not” Baku has to speak directly with the Karabagh authorities, as they are a party to the ceasefire agreement.

9 Comments

  1. I say to President Sarkisian DO RECOGNIZE NAGORNO KARABAGH AND SHOULD BE PART OF ARMENIA.
    TRUST NO ONE EXCEPT YOUR OWN.

  2. Armenia should immediately recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. This is long overdue, you cannot go on issuing empty threats. When will Armenian diplomacy show some signs of proactive policy making and some confident steps.

    Armenia should have recognized Artsakh’s independence years ago when Azerbaijan made the murderous psycho Ramil Safarov a national hero. This was exactly the time to show the world who they are, and why we can never agree Artsakh to be in any way part of a xenophobic Azerbaijan.

  3. “…Armenia will recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabagh”. Makes no sense that Armenia has yet to recognize the independence of Artsakh!
    Artsakh is ours to stay irrespective of Turkey’s long range plans for the pipeline and provocations for further wars.

  4. that is an excellent idea Mario. unfortunately it might cause a full scale war. if we can win such a war… by all, if not by any means. it has to be a decisive, unannounced blow with minimal loss. we hear that the other side has more updated weapons well lubricated with oil dollars. I also read that our armies are better trained. it’s a toss up, a gamble I think. but there is no doubt, it cannot continue as is. this ‘zibil’ azerbaijian’ must be taught a final solution.
    turkey knows all about ‘final solutions’, don’t they.

  5. Why does the United States continue arming the Turkish military at taxpayer expense while reducing its own forces? Why does the United States not speak up about a NATO member that strangles its own neighbor? Why?

  6. Severe war crimes were committed by Azerbaijani forces during the recent attack on Nagorno Karabakh; elderly Armenian civilians as well as an Armenian soldier of Yezidi background were targeted, i.e. shot, mutilated and beheaded (the Yezidi Karam Zloyan of Ashtarak). Turkish nationals fought on the side of Azerbaijan. The neo-Ottoman president of Turkey openly supports Turkey’s Azerbaijani ‘brethren’.
    Scored against the international dimension of this crisis and conflict, the indolence and indifference of the West are unacceptable.

  7. >>“I can assure you that Azerbaijan hasn’t liberated any territory. At this moment along the whole line of contact there is only a tiny segment in the south and another tiny segment in the north (which hopefully will no longer exist by the end of this meeting). This means that Azerbaijan has made an advance of merely 200-300 meters. For every meter, they have lost more than one person,” said Sarkisian, who stressed that reports of Azeri territorial gains are aimed at spreading misinformation.<<

    Of course they haven't liberated anything since the lands don't belong to them. But if we have lost 300 meters that means they have occupied 300 meters.

    Btw, recognize Artsakh NOW, Sarkisyan. Stop talking!!!

  8. Bravo and well said Mr. Sarkisian. The whole Armenian Nation supports you in the defence of our people’s innocent lives.

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