Voice of Karabakh # 103(3)

Destroyed facilities from the occupation of Jabrail district

 

The district borders with the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as Fizuli, Zangilan, Gubadly and the former Nagorno Karabakhh Autonomous District of Azerbaijan.

Territory – 1050 km²

Settlements -97

Martyrs died during the military operations – 368 persons

Disabled veterans – 250 people

Captives and hostages – 91 people

Population expelled from their native lands – 67 312 people

Houses and public buildings- 14 033

Industrial, agricultural and construction facilities – 63

Educational facilities (schools, vocational and technical schools, kindergartens, music facilities) – 126

Health facilities – 85 (for 510 beds)

Culture facilities – 149

Communication facilities – 65

Mosques – 5

Libraries – 78

Cinema facilities – 20

Museums – 2

Rare museum exhibits – more than 10 thousand

Stadium – 1

Historical and religious monuments – 134

Republican motorways and local importance – more than 990 km

Railway lines – 52 km

Bridges -56

Water-pipes – more than 1245 km

Reservoirs – 28

Electric lines – more than 381 km

Forests – 4,480 hectares

Arable lands and pastures – 58,568 hectares

Domestic animals (private and public sectors) – more than 79 357 heads

Orchards – 1 176 hectares

Vineyards – 5 385 hectares

Approximate damage – 7,5 billion US dollars (estimated according to the years of operations).

The economy of region was mainly agricultural with such sectors as animal husbandry, silkworm breeding, wine-growing and grain growing. There were wine processing and other industrial facilities.

The fifteen-span and eleven-span Khudaferin bridges from the eleventh century AD which were built over the Araz River may serve as the historical symbol of Jabrail. Among other historical monuments we may name the Sultan Majid bath (XVIII century) in the town of Jabrail; octagonal Dairavi mausoleum in Khubyarly village (XIX century); Dairevi mausoleum in Shykhlar village (XIV century); Maiden Tower on the Diri Mountain; Bashykesik mausoleum in Dagtumas village; religious shrines of “Haji Garaman”, “Jabrail ata”, “Dyul-Dyul”, “Mazannene” and others.

This territory was known for its archaeological sites as “Divler sarayi” near Dagtumas village; “Jangulu” and “Gyultepe” near Mahmudlu village; Cyclop construction near Tatar village; “Agoglan” near Jabrail; “Tumas ata” near Dagtumas.

 

 

 

 

Destroyed facilities from the occupation of Fuzuli district

 

The district borders with the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as Jabrail, Beylagan, Agjabadi and the former Nagorno Karabakhh Autonomous District of Azerbaijan.

Occupied territory – 833 km² (89,9% of the total territory)

Settlements -94 (58 under the occupation)

Martyrs died during the military operations – 528 persons

Disabled veterans – 1,309 people

Captives and hostages – 113 people

Population expelled from their native lands – 55,000 people

Houses – 26208

Housing stock – 1,284 m²

Industrial, agricultural and construction facilities – 85

Educational facilities (schools, vocational and technical schools, kindergartens, music facilities) – 164

Health facilities – 127

Cultural facilities – 183

State Theater of Drama – 1

Communication facilities – 139

Mosques – 10

Libraries – 90

Cinema facilities – 20

Museums – 3

Rare museum exhibits – more than 10 thousands

Stadium – 1

Historical and religious monuments – 125

Republican motorways and local importance – more than 235 km

Railway lines – 36 km

Bridges – 52

Water-pipes – more than 859 km

Reservoirs – 96

Electric lines – more than 300 km

Forest areas – 500 hectares

Arable lands and pastures – 65,700 hectares

Domestic animals (public and private sectors) – more than 85,000 heads

Orchards – 16 500 hectares

Vineyards – over 7,000 hectares

Approximate damage – 4,7 billion of US dollars (estimated according to the years of operations). The economy of region was mainly agricultural with such sectors as animal husbandry, silkworm breeding, wine-growing and grain and vegetable growing. There were ferroconcrete, cotton processing and dairy plants; weaving mill, quarry, wine processing facility, grain processing plant, etc.

The Fuzuli district is well known for its history monuments and artifacts. Ahmadalilar Mausoleum of thee XIII century; Baba Mausoleum of the XIII century; Ashagy Veysalli Mosque; Haji Giyasaddin Mosque in Gargabazar village from the XIII century; XVIII century Karavan-saray; XVIII century mausoleum; XVIII century mosque in Gochahmadli village and others are among those historical monuments of the district.

 

 

 

 

Damages inflicted by the occupation of the Gubadly District

 

The district borders with Lachin, Jabrail, Zangilan districts, as well as with the former Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous District of Azerbaijan and has border with the Armenian Republic.

Territory – 802 km²

Settlements – 94

Martyrs died during the military operations – 230 people

Disabled veterans – 146 people

Captives and hostages – tens of people

Population expelled from their native lands – 31,364 people

Houses/ Housing stock – 6988/445,000 m²

Industrial, agricultural and construction facilities – more than 40

Educational facilities (schools, vocational schools, kindergartens) – 74

Health facilities – 33

Cultural facilities – 111

Mosques – 8

Libraries – 60

Cinema facilities – 23

Museums – 1

Rare museum exhibits – more than 5 thousand

Stadiums – 1

Historical and religious monuments – about 80

Republican motorways and local importance – more than 260 km

Bridges – 9

Water-pipes – over 40 km

Electric lines – over 180 km

Forests – 13,200 hectares

Arable lands and pastures – over 20,000 hectares

Domestic animals (public and private sectors) – more than 50,000 heads

Orchards – approximately 700 hectares

Vineyards and tobacco fields – about 5,000 hectares

Approximate damage – 3, 5 billion US dollars (estimated according to the years of operations). The economy of region was mainly agricultural with such sectors as animal husbandry, tobacco growing, wine and grain growing. There were wine processing enterprises, dairy, tobacco plants, etc.

There is a sanctuary relating to the IV century, “Galala” and “Geygal” relating to the V century the monuments, constructed in the XIV century ” Demirchiler Turbesi”, bridges Haji Bedel, Lalezar, and also other historical monuments in villages Eyin, Yusifbeyli, Seytas, Garagajly, Hajamsakhly, tens ancient caves and so on now are under the occupation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tribune of the internally displaced person

 

Give me back my land and the native son-yans!

 

Dear Editors!

Considering that your newspaper is published in Russian and English languages, extends to many countries of the world and materials of the newspaper are located in an website, I want to transfer my words, endless hatred to the Armenians who have deprived me both lands, and my own son.

 

Armenians, I perfectly understand that many of you have no relation to the conflict proceeding Armenian-Azerbaijani, I know that the majority of the Armenian people up to a throat was bothered inspired fascist tuned instigators from among the Armenian nationalists by periodic bloody collisions between our two nations.

At the same time, the events of the last 25 years which have led to the long bloody war, served present tragedy for both nations, generally certainly, for the Azerbaijani people, an event which passed and take place with improbable, more precisely, your criminal indifference to them (after all and your people perished during these events, because your present beggarly life grows out of blockade of Armenia because of this conflict which has arisen on your fault), formed at Azerbaijanis including I have a feeling of hatred to Armenians as a whole. I tell it by own example. Am I not right?

Undeclared war of Armenia against Azerbaijan, provoked by the first for the purpose of assignment of the territories last within the Armenian mythical plan of creation so-called “Great Armenia”, unjustly took away lives over 20 000 citizens of my Homeland, among which and my son Fuad Garib oglu Asadov who yet hasn’t reached twenty-year age.

My Fuad was the student of a third year of architectural faculty of the Azerbaijani University of Architecture and Construction, he possessed phenomenal endowments and talent, was the artist and the poet, had not one ten excellent figures, has a lot of verses and prosy operations. He could become one of prominent architects and make the contribution to development of architecture and country town planning that dreamed since the childhood.

But you, greedy for earth Armenians, your a grief leaders R. Kocharyan, S. Sargsyan, Z.Balayan, S. Kaputikyan, S. Oganyan and other – of them didn’t allow him to achieve the dream, deprived him of the right to life, and me and his father – happiness to become the grandmother and the grandfather of his future children, ruined all our desires, cherish for years. Be damned forever and ever you are a responsible for all our misfortunes!

Your illegal tricks forced Fuad to give up study in higher education institution, to take the weapon in hand and to rise on fight against you – the aggressors who have encroached on the inviolable territory of Azerbaijan, without any base on that exterminating innocent Azerbaijanis as in Armenia, both in Nagorno-Karabakh, and in regions round it. Most of all on acceptance of the decision by them to be at war against the Armenian aggressors Khojaly events when for one February night this city was wiped out by the Armenian-Russian armed forces, and thousand his inhabitants, including children, women, old men and old women affected, were ruthlessly exterminated or taken by hostages.

Fuad’s father tried to persuade him not to interrupt study in higher education institution, I begged, but he was resolute in intention to be at war, and we were stimulated to agree with him. And then, we couldn’t forbid him to protect the Homeland from the Armenian aggressors! The military commissariat and the command of the local battalion which has categorically refused acceptance of Fuad – student in composition of the military personnel, eventually, also couldn’t resist his persistence.

Fuad bravely battled in fights for villages Gyshlag, Doshulu, and in bloody fight for height of Shayag he died heroic death.

My maternal heart together with loss of the beloved son is pressed by sorrow from occupation of my native earth for which Fuad fought and upon which his ashes are based.

Give me back my beloved land, my own son, damn-yans!

 

Solmaz ABDULLAEVA,

internally displaced person from Jabrail district, the mother of martyr

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elkhan SULEYMANOV: “More than 400-thousand population of Azerbaijan have become into the hostage of dangerous situation in the Sarsang reservoir”

 

“The Armenian side has a shrewd idea such as the joint use of the Sarsang reservoir and are trying to present it as an integral part of the project to peace prepare for civilian population on both sides”

 

Azerbaijani community is recently concerned about Sarsang water reservoir, which is located in the territory of Azerbaijan and is under Armenian occupation, and its current and possible negative consequences. The problem is on the agenda of the country’s and world media for some time. The Association for Civil Society Development in Azerbaijan (ACSDA) realizes a project on Sarsang reservoir. Thus, we’ll discuss the issues interesting for us with our interlocutor Elkhan Suleymanov, President of ACSDA, Member of Parliament from Shamakhi and the project manager of the above-mentioned project.

– You held a press-conference in May, where you stated that the ACSDA launches the realization of wide-scale project on Sarsang reservoir. Could you please inform us about the reasons why the project came to the agenda and its purpose?

 

– 20% of our territories, including Nagorno Karabakh and 7 surrounding provinces, have been occupied by Armenia for about 25 years. There are facilities of strategic importance in our occupied territories, and Sarsang dam is one of them.

Sarsang reservoir is in an emergency condition due to lack of maintenance as a result of occupation. Thus, the reservoir is very likely to collapse due to natural disaster, technical and deliberate diversion. Therefore, Sarsang reservoir has currently become a source of serious threat for Azerbaijan; this threat gradually becomes real.

The main canals from Sarsang reservoir supplied water to farmlands in the plains of seven provinces of Azerbaijan before armed Armenian aggression and occupation. The occupation deprived of these bordering provinces to enjoy water from this reservoir. Obviously, any diversion, technogeneous or natural disaster may lead to ecological crisis, mass casualties of civilians, and a new humanitarian catastrophe. Imagine that the current status of Sarsang reservoir poses constant danger to the lives of 400,000 civilians, and these people have become the hostage of this dangerous situation.

On the other hand, the aggressive state opens the water from Sarsang reservoir in winter; thus, the lands are flooded, and roads erode. And in summer when people and agriculture mostly need water, they stop the water. Consequently, agricultural production of Azerbaijan was seriously hampered, problems arose in the irrigation of farmlands, greenery dried, persistent processes occurred in biological structure of the land, and serious ecological tension emerged in the region.

Unfortunately, Azerbaijani community did not draw attention to the status and consequences of Sarsang reservoir for a long time, and international organizations did not bring this issue into the agenda. Thus, ACSDA launched a large project for the elimination of this gap. The purpose of the project is to aware both Azerbaijani society and the international community about the status of Sarsang reservoir, possible humanitarian catastrophe, biological and ecological crisis, as well as damage to the economy of these 6 provinces for 22 years, to achieve the adoption of relevant documents in international organizations, to prepare package of activities for the prevention of possible humanitarian catastrophe and ecological crisis, etc.

 

– It is more than two months and half that the project was launched. Which measures were taken on the framework of the project within this period?

 

– Some organizational measures were taken. As a first phase, the plan of the project was worked out, working group was formed, division of labor was carried out, and the working group was provided with office, and necessary equipments, including computers, cameras, etc. The project coordinator visited Tartar, Aghdam, Barda, Yevlakh, Aghjabadi, Goranboy, which mostly suffered from the occupation of Sarsang dam, held meetings with heads of executive power of these provinces and relevant officials. Moreover, regional office of the project was opened in Barda, and project coordinators were appointed for all provinces.

In order to receive official data and establish joint activities, we have got in contact with several ministries and state committees of our country, sent letters to the Ministry of Emergency, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Amelioration and Water Industry JSC, State Statistical Committee and other institutions and held several meetings.

Discussions were held on creating website of this project, model of page was made and put on the internet, domain and hosting of website was bought and menu was formed. Now website materials are being collected. The website of project will be presented at the international conference to be held in Tartar, on 3rd of September of this year.

We constantly inform public about ongoing activities through mass media. By the way, our activities in this sphere are not limited with only Azerbaijan, but more than 3 thousand international mass media outlets have published articles on Sarsang reservoir and its humanitarian danger in English, German and French.

Draft resolutions covering possible humanitarian catastrophe that may be caused by Sarsang reservoir were sent to international organizations, as well as to the Council of Europe, European Parliament and Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. With our direct initiative and organizational activities, the issue of Sarsang water reservoir was thoroughly discussed in two international conferences: at the 11th annual conference of a parliamentary network of the International Monetary Fund and the World bank, taken place on May 23-24 in Baku with the assistance of 269 influential parliamentarians from 79 countries, and also on taken place on June 10 in Vienna on an initiative and in case of an organization of Azerbaijan of the International conference “Geopolitics of Azerbaijan and Energy Security in Europe” where the former chancellor of Austria Alfred Gusenbauer was the moderator.

 

– Could you inform us about future activities within the project framework?

 

– The scope of upcoming project activities is very wide, it is getting wider during the process and we face with the new challenges. That is why we decided to conduct those activities step by step. Therefore, I am going to inform you about our upcoming activities in a month.

During the indicated period, project participants will visit the region, conduct photo and video shooting on the ground and interview inhabitants and local experts regarding the problems they face due to the occupation of Sarsang reservoir and damage that has been done to the agriculture.

Moreover, in the coming days, discussions are planned to be organized about the collaboration with the representatives of international organizations in our country and embassies of several states. Works on the estimation of material damage to Azerbaijan during 22 years of occupation of Sarsang water reservoir and researches on humanitarian, ecological and biological catastrophes have been launched.

Finally, in the early September, ACSDA will hold a conference in Tartar on the current state of Sarsang reservoir. 3 foreign experts along with local ones will report in the conference. I would like to particularly stress that not only local media representatives, but also well-known foreign journalists from numerous Western European countries will attend the conference and we will achieve wide coverage of opinions voiced at the conference in the international media.

 

– Recently, a representative of the occupying regime made a sensational proposal on Sarsang reservoir. It urged the Azerbaijani side to use Sarsang reservoir jointly…

 

– I think that there is no sensation. Vice versa, we have to think about which processes have forced the representative of occupying regime make such an offer and about the merits of this proposal. In this regard, we have carried out a specific work.

I should mention that we have elucidated a wide range of problems in the world media, international organizations, as well as currently we endeavor to the adoption of appropriate decisions in PACE and Euronest PA.

I would also like to note that during spring and summer sessions of the current year, a group of MPs in PACE two times made the initiative on adoption of the document on the Sarsang reservoir under Armenian occupation. Despite the preparation of the document, the geography and quantity of MPs that have signed it were in full compliance with the rules, PACE administration deliberately prevented those documents from the discussions. During the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Euronest the same draft document signed by a group of MPs was presented. However, as a result of the efforts of some of MEPs and political factions this document was also removed from the discussions. In spite of all this injustice, on my initiative a new draft document on Sarsang reservoir signed by 45 MPs representing 18 European countries was submitted in PACE on June 25. This document will be tabled in PACE in autumn and have been posted on the official website of the organization.

Thus, how it is tried to openly retain aggressive Armenia under the umbrella in PACE, to protect it and to hide its international legal responsibility, they understand that, we are right and persistent in our demands. Therefore, they understand that it will not be possible to prevent all the consistently submitted documents in PACE.

They at the same time, take into account the factor that aggressive Armenia chairs the Committee of the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe at the moment. As well as it is understood in PACE that the prevention of initiatives of PACE members the majority of which are from Western Europe countries in violation of the rules of procedure will seriously blow to the international image of the organization and will cause bustle that will lead to great impact.

It seems that the situation was explained to the aggressive state in PACE and it was informed about the impossibility of preventing the problem. For this reason, representatives of the occupying state make a new trick. Most likely with the support of international organizations they have a shrewd idea such as the joint use of the Sarsang reservoir and are trying to present it as an integral part of the project to peace prepare for civilian population on both sides. This artfulness of the aggressive side follows the purpose of damaging the international reputation of Azerbaijan and forming opinions in the world community that it is supposedly a non-constructive state. Instead of the liberation of our territories with this Armenia stealthily makes efforts to present itself as a peaceful state in the international community.

Bringing up of the ugly and sinister proposal of occupying state, has appeared after the initiative of submission of the draft resolution in European Parliament, Euronest and PACE and removal of this problem. Within about 25 years, international organizations supporting occupying state instead of applying sanctions on aggressive Armenia for the liberation of our lands are still making efforts to help the aggressor with so cunning and disgusting ideas. We should seriously think about it.

IA APA