Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Ardzroun Hohvhannisian recently said that Armenia is willing to discuss the release of Firouz Farajov, an Azeri Prisoner of War (POW), in what might turn out to be a prisoner exchange between the two countries, reported Aztag.
Farajov was captured by Armenian armed forces on July 26, 2012. According to Armenia, Farajov had accidentally crossed the Armenian-Azeri border and willingly surrendered himself to the Armenian soldiers.
First Deputy Minister of Defense David Tonoyan recently met with the delegate of the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC), Dragana Rankovitch, to discuss his release. Tonoyan said Farajov had changed his mind about remaining in Armenia, and wished to return to Azerbaijan. Farajov reportedly asked for an urgent meeting with representatives of humanitarian organizations and associations in Armenia. In response, the Defense Ministry invited delegates of those groups, including the Red Cross Committee of Armenia, to meet with Farajov.
Across the border in Azerbaijan, authorities are yet to allow the ICRC to meet with Hagop Injighoulian, an Armenian soldier captured last week after losing his way and crossing into enemy territory.
Hovhannisian said a prisoner exchange between the two countries requires further examination of the appropriate procedures and measures. He did mention, however, that Armenia is ready to cooperate with the Red Cross Committee to see the release of both soldiers. “We are trying everything possible to assure—and promise—the safe return of Injighoulian,” he said.
According to Rankovitch, the Red Cross Committee office in Baku anticipates that a meeting will soon be planned with Injighoulian.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ashot Hovakimian has urged the ICRC to ensure close cooperation between their offices in Armenia and Baku, to guarantee the safety of the Armenian prisoner.
I think and hope that the exchange will take place. And that is good. One negative sideeffect is that this will create a perverse incentive system for both sides to try to capture/store POWs for future exchanges (in case the other side does capture one first … like insurance). I guess capturing is better than killing each other.
Communication and open and true negotiations unquestionably better than hate and torture. Torture is barbaric.