ACTUAL QUOTATION
Ilham ALIYEV, President of Azerbaijan:
“Georgia and Russia are friends of Azerbaijan. We want our friends to be friends with each other. The recent developments confirmed once more that stability in region is delicate issue. The stability in region is important for realization of joint projects. Azerbaijan recognizes territorial integrity of all countries and wants peaceful regulation of the conflicts.”
From press statement in Baku from 20 August 2008
George BUSH, the U.S. President:
“The United States supports the democratic elected Government of Georgia and insists on respectful attitude to sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country. Recently Russia has succeeded in holding a certain place in world policy and economy. But activities of Russian troops in territory of Georgia can mock all positive moments. Russian incursion into Georgia undermined West’s confidence in Russian Federation.”
From statement on live broadcast CNN on 14 August 2008
Heikki TALVITIE, the Special Representative of OSCE Chairman:
“The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be solved within the principle of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Another matter is determination of Nagorno-Karabakh’s status. The principles of territorial integrity and status of Nagorno-Karabakh are not contrary with each other.”
From statement at news conference in Baku on 30 July 2008
David Alan HARRIS, Executive Director of America’s Jewish Committee:
“Azerbaijan is a model of tolerance. Our Committee has long-standing and good relations with Jewish community of Azerbaijan and they know that local Jews feel themselves there as at home. From our standpoint, this is country of tolerance and this is very important symbol in our world.”
From press-statement in Baku, 14 August 2008
Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor:
“Germany considers that to determine the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia there is clearly a need to proceed from territorial integrity of Georgia.”
From statement at news-conference after talks with Russian Federation in Sochi on 15 August 2008
Condoleezza RICE, the U.S State Secretary:
“The peacemaking activities in Georgia should be carried out under the aegis of European Union and OSCE, and it does not cost speculating American troops’ role in this process. The problem is that Russia had inadequate response in respect to neighbor country. The Moscow should keep these promises. The incursion of Russia into Georgia resulted in that its positions on world scene were substantially shaken. Russia has very hard consequences. Any notions that Russia became responsible state ready for integration to international structures in the field of policy, diplomacy, security and economy, and that Russia is modern state looking ahead this reputation frankly saying is torn to pieces.”
From interview for NBC on 18 August 2008
Valeriy CHECHELASHVILI, GUAM’s Secretary General:
“Russia has virtually eliminated relationship system which directed Black Sea countries to mutual confidence and mutual support. Actually Russia has destroyed CIS. How is it possible to talk of regional cooperation and any regional projects, shaking fist and harboring a grudge? Russia has demonstrated the whole world its incapacity to be guarantor of peaceful regulation of conflicts in its region.”
From statement at news-conference in Kiev on 19 August 2008
David MILIBEND, the U.K. Minister of Foreign Affairs:
“We consider that it is impossible to replace international principles by force. This principle should be observed. For last 10 years Russia’s conduct was in violation of international principles. NATO’s Ministerial was unanimous in its position in respect to Moscow, condemning it and urging to withdraw troops from Georgia.”
From statement during a visit to Tbilisi on 20 August 2008
Receb Tayyib ERDOGAN, Turkish Prime-Minister:
“The positions of Azerbaijan and Turkey in respect to securing a peace in South Caucasus are similar. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be regulated within territorial integrity of Azerbaijan on basis of International Law. It is already 16 years that the OSCE Minsk Group’s activities give no result and this makes us think of. The Caucasian platform of peace and cooperation can make contribution to peace and security building in region.”
From statement during a visit to Baku on 20 August 2008
Vasiliy ISTRATOV, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan:
“The recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia does not influence upon respect for territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. There are no changes in attitude of Russian Federation towards early stated position concerning the respect for territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Russia fully supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Declaration signed by Presidents Dmitri Medvedev and Ilham Aliyev this July does not lose its force in any respect.”
From press statement in Baku on 27 August 2008
GEORGIANS ABOUT ARMENIANS
Felix Tsertsvadze
Holocaust.
Shameful participation of Armenians in the extermination of Jews
(Beginning in previous numbers)
Chapter Eight
Armenian terror (continuation)
Short list of Armenian Terrorist Organizations
7. ASALA – Armenian secret army of liberation of Armenia – Akop Akopyan, founder.
8. Avengers of the Armenian Genocide – Tigran Abovyan, Arutyun Avetisyan, Stepan Avyan, Akop Agolyan.
9. Armenian Secret Liberation Army (ASOA) – Damascus-based headquarter (1975), training camps in Cyprus (Greek part) and Syria. Responsible for killings of 19 Turkish diplomats in different countries.
10. Gurgen Yanikyan, sentenced – was active in the USA, Lebanon and other countries.
11. Armenian Victorious Army (1975) – was active in Austria, carried out the killing of the Turksih ambassador Danis Tunalijil.
12. DSAG – established in 1972 at the 20th Convention of “Dashanktzutyun” in Vienna. Assassinated the Turkish ambassador to France Ismayil Erez and his driver Talim Ener in Paris on 24 October, 1975.
13. New Armenian Resistance – founded in May 1977 in France (ASALA branch).
14. Group of Youth Action – established approximately at the same time with the “New Armenian Resistance”.
15. Armenian Organization of 28 May – May 1977. Blasts at Istanbul airport and railway station. 6 wounded and 52 people killed.
16. Armenian Group – 28 – Blasts in October 1977 in Los-Angeles.
17. National Unity Party – January 1978, blasts in Moscow metro.
18. Teams of the Armenian Genocide Justice – explosions at Turkish entities in Paris and Turkey in 1978-1979.
19. Armenian Liberation Front (1979) – ASALA’s branch.
20. Detachment of Armenian Militants against Genocide (1979) – was active in Western Europe, particularly, assassinated the Turkish Turism Attaché in Paris Elmaz Sholpan.
21. Organization of Armenian Secret Army (1980) – responsible for the attack on counselor of the Turkish Embassy in Paris Seljuk Bakalbashi which left him paralyzed.
22. 3 October Organization – established in Geneva in 1980.
23. Suicide Squadron – established in Paris in 1981.
24. Sakhan Natali (1981) – ASALA’s branch. Known for its terrorist attacks against Turkish diplomats in France.
25. 9 June Organization – specialized on Switzerland.
26. Sixth Armenian Liberation Army – Introduced itself with the explosion at the building of the Turkish Airlines in Copenhagen (Denmark) on 15 September 11981.
27. Detachment of 24 September Fatalists – Seizure of the Turkish Consulate in Paris. Security officer Kemal Ozen was killed and Consul Kay Inal was wounded.
28. September France – Exploded “Fuchs” restaurant in Paris on 25 October 1981. Three French citizens were wounded.
29. Organization Orli – explosions at Paris railway stations.
30. Organization of General Retribution – 1982. Blasts at a number of banks in Geneva’s.
31. Armenian Red Army – firing at the Turkish Consul in Amsterdam K.Demirer in 1 July 1982.
32. Armenian Revolutionary Army (ARA) – Attempt to use suicide terrorist in Lisbon on 27 June 1983. The blast killed 4 terrorists and the Turkish ambassador’s wife. The fifth terrorist was shot by security officers.
33. Ksamepp – introduced itself with the explosion in Paris-Lion express and at Paris Trade Center.
34. GBAF (Greek-Bulgarian-Armenian Front) – explosions in Melbourne.
35. Union of Armenians (UA) – established in Moscow in 1988.
36. Karabakh – established in Yerevan in 1988.
37. Krunk – established in Khankendi (Stepanakert) in 1988.
(to be continued)
V.B. Kondratyev, former member of the Republican Organizational Committee on Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous District (NKAD) from the Armenian SSR.
THE CHRONICLE OF NKAD
(Continuation)
All these could have been skipped if decisions adopted would have been strictly controlled. If endless political and ideological provocations of theorists and organizers of the “Karabakh Movement” were exposed consequently from the beginning of incidents. If the open intervention of Armenia into internal affairs of sovereign Azerbaijan, as well as Armenian separatists’ actions and nationalists who impeded and hampered efforts to stabilize the situation in Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous District, were a matter of principal assessment. The breach of declared statements and practice, appeasement of egregious constitutional violations, slow and indecisive attitude toward leaders of banned organizations, efforts to keep artificial balance of guilt for both sides were seemingly the reason for the population of Azerbaijan to have credibility gap for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Soviet Union (CC CPSU) and Supreme Council of the USSR, as well as Party Leadership of the Republic.
Thus, despite actions taken, the situation in Nagorno Karabakh and around it instead of getting stabilized went worse by the beginning of 1990. Different nationalist and separatist movements intensified their activities to provoke and involve more and more people into confrontation.
Extremist groups organized mass disorders, initiated strikes, incited national hatred and dissension, and launched impudent crime actions. During the unauthorized rally in Stepanakert on 29 November 1989, movement leaders called for sabotage of the implementation of Supreme Council of the Soviet of Armenian SSR’s decree. The nowadays president of Armenia (already the former one – Auth.) and once member of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of Armenian SSR Robert Kocharyan burnt the text of Decree in front of the crowd. On 1 December the Supreme Council of Armenian SSR adopted the anti-constitutional decree on “Reunification of Armenian SSR and Nagorno Karabakh” that led to the next eruption of nationalism in the autonomous district (as well as throughout the republic – Auth.).
In spite of firm protests of the Presidium of Supreme Council of Azerbaijan SSR on the matter, on 9 January 1990 the session of the Supreme Council of Armenian SSR included the plan on social and economic development of Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous into the republic’s plan for 1990. On 2 January started the confrontation between the internal troops and local population incited by the Armenian extremists. A number of trucks with military cadets from militia schools was blocked by lorries, stoned and caught by fire. Cadets were forced to open fire and as the result Armen Akopyan, 1941 born sculptor, died.
The hostage taking campaign by both sides turned to be of a dangerous scale. Starting from 29 December up to 3 January 5 Armenians were taken hostage by the Azerbaijani side while Armenians took hostage lieutenant Azizov who served in the local motor rifle regiment. All were released after required measures were taken. On 9 January the Secretary of the Central Committee of Communist Party of the Soviet Union comrade A.N. Girenko and the Chairman of the Council of Nationalities of the Supreme Council of USSR comrade R.P. Nishanov attempted to visit the town of Stepanakert. The Armenian extremists went on strike and blocked the road leading to the airport and opened fire at internal troops. The return fire was opened and 3 local residents were wounded. Due to tensed situation comrades Girenko and Nishanov decided to return to Baku. The specifics of local population proved that the bulk of Armenians were very pleased with what had happened and considered it as “next victory of their nation”.
(to be continued)
Hell in the world-Armenian captivity
A PERSON WHO FLED TO HEAVEN, RIGHT AFTER RUNNING OUT FROM HEAVEN
(Extracts from documentary story by G. Nasirov about horrible treatment of Azerbaijanis in the Armenian captivity)
(Beginning in the previous issues)
Natig Namazov (reminder: N.Namazov originally from Baku, was kept in the Armenian captivity together with Ilgar Mehtiyev – Auth.): “We worked at the house of an important man in Stepanakert. Ilgar was making cement solution outside and I carried full buckets upstairs. Believe me; he could make solution enough to load two cars a day. After such hard work see how you could stand those tortures.
At sharp winter frost had often been taken to the river to wash their car. Do you know how it is to be up to your knees in water in such weather for several hours when frost bites you even being dressed? How could human body stand such torments? We were forced to carry construction materials, heavy iron plates, metallic tanks from our occupied towns and villages where already lived Armenians. There they had big storehouses. Many times Ilgar and I had to fill big bags with cement and load into or unload from trucks. Some bags were so heavy that not every strong man could move them.
Ilgar could not bear tortures used against our people. If any of us was severely beaten Ilgar would step forward without fear but be beaten instead. However, I have to say that Ilgar was a skillful person and this fatc saved him and us not once as those ruthless had to compromise with him. He could do everything ranging from glass cutting through floor molding. I recall that in 1995 we were forced to work at the house of a big fish. An Armenian workman was placing tiles on the wall. Ilgar was watching the workman while working. Next day the workman did not come to work. Ilgar started placing tiles in his own and the work was the same as of the workman’s…”
Hidayat Allahverdiyev, Former Deputy Chairman of People’s Freedom Party, who served with Ilgar in the “Intelligents’ Battalion” established in 1992 to help to protect the territory of Jabrail District from Armenian attacks said: “I can not talk about him, I feel a lump in my throat and it chokes me”. He braced himself and could say a few words: “We studied at the same school with Ilgar with a year difference. We had common friends. It takes too much of heartache to speak of him in the past. Everyone knew of him as a polite and hardworking person. But I had a chance to get to know him much better in the “Intelligents’ Battalion” established to defend native Jabrail. He was well disciplined, knew military affairs well and abided by them, loved his native land and all these made him different from others.
Ilgar could have been killed at a combat or from a bullet while being at the duty. He was worthy of honourable name of Martyr. But, that was his fate. His heroism along with other features turned to be peculiar.
I believe if Ilgar, who kissed our national flag and never been afraid of the enemy’s bullet, was alife despite of the inhuman Armenian brutality he would fell as a martyr fearlessly fighting to free our lands, the fight which once will start. Let God us be honored of such martyrdom”.
(to be continued)
ANOTHER SCANDALOUS STATEMENT BY THE U.S CO-CHAIR
16 years have past since the establishment of the Minsk Group of OSCE which has the primary goal to settle the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But I wonder if there are any minor positive changes in this process? Is there at least 16 centimeters of the occupied territory of Azerbaijan which have been returned to us? The answer is no and this will never take place if the co-chairs continue to approach this problem from double standards and continue their “activity”, it is better to say inactivity as it has been so far.
Yes, the approach to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan with double standards by some international organizations and leading countries of the world does not leave a chance for its solution. For more than fifteen years, including the period of the Minsk Group of OSCE’s work, we have witnessed numerous facts of such an attitude by international organizations to the ongoing problem, as well as contradictory statements of the same representatives of these organizations, and the Minsk Group co-chairs are not exclusion to this. Diplomats of this range often make different statements in Baku, Yerevan and Moscow. Such contradictory statements were made at times by the former Russian co-chair Vladimir Kazimirov and present Yuri Merzlyakov, French co-chair Bernard Fassier, former US co-chair Steven Mann and present Matthew Bryza… The last one made a scandalous statement after the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Moscow in the beginning of August which I want to focus on.
Here is what mass media reported of Mr. Bryza’s statement as the co-chair of the country which officially declared that “the U.S support territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and do not recognize self-proclaimed Nagorno Karabakh Republic as an independent state”. The diplomat who repeatedly announced the position of his country said: “The question of Nagorno Karabakh’s belonging to Azerbaijan or its independence might be settled through referendum” (Interfax). “Nagorno Karabakh population will decide if the republic goes under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan or receives independence. The referendum to identify those living in Karabakh is to be conducted”, – and added to his quarrelsome words: “We suggested to withdraw the Armenian Armed Forces from the seven districts around Nagorno Karabakh, internally displaced persons and refugees must return, a corridor linking Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh is to be created, and a process of determination of the future of Nagorno Karabakh is to be conducted”.
There is no way to react to such free statements? It would be worth of ignoring if it were said by an ordinary diplomat or an administrative officer, and definitely of a pro-Armenian congressman. However, M.Bryza is one of three diplomats responsible for and directly involved into the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh problem on international level, and he represents the dominant country of the contemporary world.
First of all Bryza (meaning the U.S) questions the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and makes American mediation attempts an absurd if they still have doubts on the belonging of Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijan. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani side has numerous times expressed the possibility to conduct nationwide referendum only on the whole territory of Azerbaijan including Nagorno Karabakh what is required by the country’s Constitution which does not stipulate the conduct of referendum only in one region of the republic. Can it be true that such a high-rank diplomat does not know this fact? Hard to believe it. And if he said that on purpose then it is a mess which causes to infer either Mr. Bryza considers Nagorno Karabakh as an independent enclave or he hints on necessity to amend the Constitution of Azerbaijan. In both case it seems ridiculous and sounds as nonsense. On the other hand it would be interesting to know the reaction of American diplomats like Bryza on the issue of Afro-Americans’ right to self-identification or even independence from the USA.
The second fact is that the whole world knows the official position of Baku that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan can not be questioned and M. Bryza knows it too. Nagorno Karabakh will never be rendered the status of independence. Does not M.Bryza realize such a simple reality that there could be no other republic inside of the Republic of Azerbaijan? What is the ground for him to express the idea of “would the republic agree to go under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan or receive independence?” What republic is he talking about? The one that the US do not recognize?
The third is that the Armenian Armed Forces must withdraw from not only the seven occupied districts around Nagorno Karabakh but from Karabakh itself too. These are his words: “We have frame agreement which calls to withdraw the Armenian Armed Forces from the territory of Azerbaijan where they are deployed”. It means from the territory of seven occupied districts and Nagorno Karabakh. In such case there would be no necessity in peacekeeping forces.
The fourth is that Mr. Bryza has exaggerated with the so-called corridor: was it ever possible for another state to have free access and exit in and out of the territory of another country? I wonder what would be Mr. Bryza’s reaction on a demand, for instance by Mexico to be given a corridor to the State of Texas? The above-mentioned statement by M. Bryza caught the Azerbaijani society with mixed feeling on the matter. Many think this statement by the American co-chair instigates the already hair-trigger situation in the region. Among many opinions there is one which explains the proposed scenario as to separate Nagorno Karabakh from Azerbaijan and give it to Armenia. It should be said that from the Armenian side there are people who were dissatisfied with M.Bryza’s statement too. For instance, according to what Grant Melik-Shahkhnazaryan, head of Mitk Analytical Center, said: “the contradictory statements by the Assistant Deputy Secretary of State Matthew Bryza add tension into the situation in conflict zones of the Southern Caucasus”.
But, as it happened before, Mr. Bryza denied the statement as if he had never said anything of this kind but his real statement was misinterpreted, etc. It raises a question if all M.Bryza’s statements had not been duly translated? But from the other side so many sources announced his words almost identically.
Well, the bottom line is that the co-chair from the Minsk Group of OSCE has not been able or simply never wanted to assess the present conflict situation in a right and objective way or he has done it on purpose. By the way, the same holds good to the two other co-chairs of the Minsk Group of OSCE.
But is it possible to find an objective solution for a global problem when you do not know its essence or distort it to gain political benefits from the conflict situation?!
Gadir NASIROV,
“Voice of Karabakh”
Samuel А.Weems.
ARMENIA: THE SECRETS OF A “CHRISTIAN” TERRORIST STATE
The Armenian Great Deception series Volume I
(Beginning in previous numbers)
Second volume
Early stages
Who claims to the lands of modern Turkey – great civilizations of the past or Armenia?
How come the figures cited by Ovanissyan might be true? He claims that the Ottomans moved about one million Armenians from the area of war. In the following chapters Ovanissyan claims that 500,000 Armenian refugees moved to Russian Armenia. In addition “endless number of women and children had been taken to Muslim houses as servants, and were forced to become Muslims”. Well, then how come modern Armenians claim there were 1.5 million Armenians killed? The professor himself claims the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire reached 2 million people. Armenians who did not leave in frontier zone had not been moved away!
Ovanissyan’s figures have been exaggerated without a reason. Figures presented by the Armenian historian do not match with those figures argued by the Armenian clergy on the claimed number of Armenians subjected to genocide. In the following chapters Ovanessyan cites names of American witnesses who saw as Armenians, about 2 million people, left safe and sound the Ottoman Empire as refugees.
Ovanissyan has not given enough consideration to check his facts. In one place appears a need of creation of numerous killings and genocide. In other places of the book when appears a need to show the terrible situation of refugees, he turns to use other sorts of figures. The only thing Ovanissyan forgets about is that he shows the number of Armenians as 2 million people living in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. In all parts of his history book he indicated the same figures for those who were subject to the “genocide” and for “refugees”. But the truth is that starting from 1915 through the present time the fact of resettlement of treacherous Armenians by the Ottomans used to be called by them as massacre, and now it is called “genocide”. Apparently, Armenians see no difference between two of these words. They mean cold-blooded murder of numerous people. Armenians beyond the Ottoman front line were not killed. They were resettled for high treason to their legal government. Today American Armenians do make comparisons with the Jewish genocide by fascists during the II World War. They forget a historical fact that the Ottomans had not disturbed their ancestors before the war neither in Istanbul nor in other territories. It is spoken only about those Armenians living beyond the fire line with the Russian troops, who were not subjected to genocide but resettled. However, the Nazis would not let a single Jew to leave, but dragged each hardly found Jew into death camps; more than 5 million Jews were killed with the government’s order. Armenians were not subjected to such an incident in 1915.
There is such a fact that during those dreadful times thousands of Armenians died. Many of Turks suffered the same fate. But culprit of big suffers that both the Ottomans and Armenians were subject to, was a group of conceited Armenian leaders; they want to acquire the land free of charge and caused the war for this very reason.
The Armenian professor highly appreciates the life of “Christian” Armenians, but places “Muslim” Turks in the opposite pole. However, the saddest thing is that during the whole history the attitude of “my” people’s life is better than the life of “your” people caused so many terrible wars. The Armenian Christianity shall be ashamed of that Muslims and Christians worship the same God.
(to be continued)
NATIONAL HEROES OF AZERBAIJAN
“Death is better than the Armenian captivity!”
He would be 55 on 16 August of this year. Yes, would be, was he alive. He abandoned us and left three children…
Aslan Atakishiyev was born on 16 August 1953 in the village of Muradkhanly of the Gubadly District which is under the occupation of the Armenian Armed Forces.
He finished secondary school in the village in 1970, and in 1972 was recruited for the army service in the Soviet Army. In 1974 Aslan finished his military service and came back to his native village. In 1977 he joined Azerbaijan State University to study at the Faculty of Philology which he graduated from in 1981. Afterwards, he started to teach at Muradkhanly village secondary school which he finished once.
The Gubadly District has common border with Kafan town of the Armenian Republic, and Azerbaijani and Armenian population of this area went along well. But by the end of 1980s the Armenian separatist movements in Moscow, Yerevan and Nagorno Karabakh tensed the relations between two nations. Demands for annexation of Nagrono Karabakh for Armenia, and expulsion of all Azerbaijanis from Armenia instigated general unrest in Azerbaijan. Soon Armenia started undeclared war against Azerbaijan and its armed forces occupied the Lachin District in May 1992 right after the occupation of Nagorno Karabakh what created a direct link between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Aslan could not stay aside as his heart was breaking hearing moans of people from Lachin, he was outraged and felt ready to take revenge for all those wounds inflicted by Armenians. He voluntarily joined the Gubadly Regional Regiment.
While serving in the National Army of Azerbaijan, on 5 January 1992 lieutenant A.Atakishiyev was assigned as deputy detachment commander. He joined the fight to free the territory of the Lachin District from the Armenian armed formations. Performing his service with great valour and heroism fighting for villages of Shafiyan, Mazutlu, Turklar, Yukhary Farajan, Ashagi Farajan, Suarasy and others, Aslan himself destroyed a lot of ammunition and enemy personnel.
7 August 1992… Bloodshed was ongoing in the Lachin Corridor and on Susuzlug heights. Shelling the enemy Azerbaijani fighters stopped its outnumbered forces. Aslan was no doubt the focal fighter who could inflict serious loss to the enemy despite its advantageous position. The fight lingered on forever. Atakishiyev was running out of his munitions. By this time the enemy managed to encircle the brave fighter. Aslan turned to bay… And he left with single bullet. What next? Shall he surrender himself to such a dishonorable enemy as Armenians? “Never! The death is better than the Armenian captivity!” – he decided. Next… was a shot in his heart…
The Decree by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 7 December 1992 awarded Aslan Atakishiyev post mortem the honorary name of the National Hero of Azerbaijan.
The hero was buried in the Alley of Martyrs in Baku.
Gadir Nazirov,
“Voice of Karabakh”
BRING ROBERT KOCHARYAN TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL!
Mass media has recently spread information which caused different reactions in various countries. Some of them were excited about it as thinking it is the victory of justice; however others accepted it as unserious chat and some as unsuccessful attempt…
This issue has gained special attention in Azerbaijan which we will discuss later. But first let us explain the reason of coming back to this topic.
According to APA Information Agency referring to “Novosti-Armeniya” (Armenia-News) more than 100,000 people supported the idea of filing a lawsuit against the former president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan to sent it to the International Criminal Court in the Haague. This was reported by David Shakhnazaryan, the representative of opposition Center of “All Nation Movement” led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan. According to him the collection of signatures is still ongoing. Shakhnazaryan explained the process of filing a lawsuit to the Haague tribunal. He said that the countries signed the Rome Statute on Establishment of the Court, UN Security Council, and the Prosecutor’s Office based on the suit by any public organization or citizen. As the Center’s representative stated the last option to be chosen for R.Kocharyan for the 1 March events in the Armenian capital and law enforcement agencies’ actions in the day of disorders which led to many civilians casualties.
However, there people in Armenia who think of this attempt as useless because the Haague International tribunal may consider cases only of those countries which ratified the Rome Statute. Armenia has signed but not ratified the Statute. This means its territory is not under the authority of Haague tribunal. We shall see what comes out of this attempt by the Armenian opposition.
As it has been mentioned above, this is being done for the March events which took lives of several people. In other words, Kocharyan is considered guilty for death of several citizens of Armenia.
Yes, Kocharyan must stand the international tribunal and be punished in the strictest way for killing of several Armenians in March this year. Robert Kocharyan, the former president, citizen of Azerbaijan, born in the town of Khankendi (Stepanakert), must stand trial for treason and also as one of those responsible for the war between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, as well as the initiator of irreparable moral and material damage inflicted on both neighbouring nations. As it is known the Azerbaijani side had over 20,000 lives lost during the war, and thousands of people were taken hostages, wounded or went missing, about 900 communities and the overall infrastructure of the region currently under the Armenian occupation, were destroyed and looted; more than one million of civilians have been expelled from their native places in Armenia and in occupied Nagorno Karabakh and seven districts of Azerbaijan. All of them became refugees and internally displaced persons.
It is worth of noting that the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan filed a criminal lawsuit against R.Kocharyan, separatist, criminal, the one responsible for dreadful bloodshed and feeling proud for what he has done (refer to the speech by the former president of Armenia Kocharyan which was delivered at the PACE in 2005 where he cynically stated about being proud of his participation in the Karabakh war) several tears ago. The case materials are expected to be sent to relevant international agencies.
Each human being must be responsible and stand human judgment and justice of Heaven for his/hers actions, misdeeds and crimes, particularly for those causing mass extermination of innocent civilians and large-scale humanitarian catastrophe. It is high time to make international criminal Kocharyan accountable for his deeds!
G. AHMADAGALY,
“Voice of Karabakh”
ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OF ARMENIAN CYNICISM
When we Azerbaijanis speak about malignant features of Armenians some would think that the cause is hostile relations between us, and would raise doubts on our thoughts. In fact, this is absolutely true as such Armenian features appear everywhere and every time no matter of anything else. We have written quite a lot of this, and now another incident encouraged us to raise this issue again.
According to APA Information Agency, ethnically Armenian Ara Abramyan who represented Sweden in Greek-Roman wrestling of 84 kg weighting category at Beijing Olympics won bronze, but did not receive the medal. Armenian wrestler who lost to Italian Andrea Minguzzi in semifinal, accused judges of being responsible in his loss, and threw the bronze medal and left the award ceremony as a protest. It should be mentioned that A,Manguzzi won the final and became the winner of Beijing Olympics.
Later it was announced that the Greek-Roman style wrestler Ara Abramyan who refused from the bronze medal at the XXIX Beijing Summer Olympics, will be punished. It was reported that 33 year old wrestler claimed that judges forced him to loose to Italy’s Andrea Minguzzi in the semifinal. That was the reason for him to throw the bronze medal on the floor and leave the facility. The President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jack Rogge was dissatisfied with A. Abramyan’s behavior. He spoke to the President of the International Association of Wrestling Federations (FILA) Rafael Martinetti, and wondered about the reason for such behavior demanding to clarify the incident. The President of FILA stated that sportsmen and coaches protest time to time against judges for their decision saying: “I watched the video recording of the controversial moment that Abramyan raised his dissatisfaction against. I think judges were right in their decision”.
Readers may object thinking it was a single case wondering what the reason is for paying attention at such a case. It seems exactly like this, but only in the beginning. The case is not only the incident related to the Armenian wrestler at Beijing Olympics. It is a bit different.
First of all is that this very case is related particularly to someone who is Armenian and no one else, despite he represents Sweden and not Armenia. The second is that one of two competitors must win and the other one looses, and this should be evident. The third is that such behavior is not appropriate regardless the country one represents, particularly when it takes place in front of millions of people watching the games throughout the world! Such rudeness, way of cynicism could be demonstrated by an Armenian only, the nation which considers all and everyone owing to them.
It is a particular example of how Armenians consider themselves as the best nation of all, expecting all others to kneel in front of them and do favours for them, meaning to dance their tune. They think of creating mythical “Greater Armenia” stealing lands form neighboring states at any price and seeking for ruling over the world, etc…
This is the exact nature of Armenians…
15TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN OCCUPATION OF JABRAIL, FUZULI AND GUBADLY
This year on 22 August Association of “Assistance for the Development of Civil Society in Azerbaijan” (ADCSA) and Public Association for the Protection of Rights of Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in Azerbaijan (PA PRMIDPA) organized a roundtable on “Jabrail, Fuzuli, Gubadly: 15 years under Armenian Captivity” at the Conference room of “Caspian Plaza” Business Center. The opening speech at the roundtable was delivered by the Chairman of PA PRMIDPA Prof. Nadir Abdullayev. The editor-in-chief of “Voice of Karabakh” newspaper , as well PA’s member Gadir Nasirov also delivered his speech on the above-mentioned topic. He provided analysis of historical background and genitive outcomes of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
During the roundtable different speeches were delivered by Azar Gatamov who warks as an ExCom official of the Fuzuli District; Seymur Shirinov, Chairman of the Union of Martial War Veterans of Karabakh»; Razim Aliyev, Gubadly District ExCom employee; Gabil Valiyev, Chairman of the Yasamal District Branch of the Union of Great Patriotic War Veterans; Musa Musayev, Deputy Director of Human Rights Institute of Academy of Sciences; Nizami Hajiyev, representative of the Karabakh Liberation Organization; Hasan Hasanov, Jabrail District Culture and Tourism Department employee; Nizami Rza, Deputy Chairman of the Union of Martial War Veterans, and others.
Participants stated that 15 years ago, on 23 August 1993 the Armenian Armed Forces occupied Jabrail and Fuzuli districts, and on 31 August of the same year they occupied Gubadly district of Azerbaijan. As the result of the aggressive politics of Armenia around 230,000 people who lived on these territories were forced to leave their homes. People from Jabrail found temporary refuge in 57 towns, those from Fuzuli in 61, and the population from Gubadly was settled in 47 towns of the country. The occupation of the mentioned districts led to destruction of 262 settlements and towns, hundreds of historical and cultural monuments from the period of 4th-19th centuries, as well as total infrastructure the development of which took many years. 242 secondary schools, 263 health centers, more than 450 cultural and 110 industrial and agricultural centers, 4 museums and thousands of museum artifacts, as well as numerous construction organizations were left in Jabrail, Fuzuli and Gubadly districts occupied by the Armenian Armed Criminal Forces.
The fact of occupation was accompanied by erosion of land, looting of natural resources, deforestation and elimination of flora and fauna, as well as mass killings of population. 1058 people were killed and hundreds were wounded, became cripple or were taken captive and were missing when military operations were on.
The Roundtable participants stated that despite the support by the Azerbaijani government , construction of new settlements in Bilasuvar and Fuzuli districts to provide housing for those who were displaced from the above-mentioned districts, people of this category still have lots of problems and the major of them is home-sickness, longing for native lands and graves of beloved ones.
Those who delivered speeches at the roundtable raised their strong resentment with ongoing Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, and non-constructive attitude to the problem from international organizations involved into the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijnai conflict, particularly the Minsk Group of OSCE, weakness of the UN to impose implementation of Resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884.
All participants adopted the unified appeal to the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, heads of co-chair states of the Minsk Group of OSCE, International Red Cross to take concrete measures on provision of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and force Armenia to withdraw its armed forces from the occupied lands, including Jabrail, Fuzuli and Gubadly districts, as well as return of Azerbaijani captives taken during the conflict and giving information on missing people.
Nadir MINBASHI,
“Voice of Karabakh”
APPEAL
To
The United Nations Organization
The Council of Europe
The Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe
The Heads of the OSCE Minsk Group member-states
The International Red Cross Committee
Armed gangs of Armenia, longing to establish mythical “Great Armenia” by usurping Azerbaijani territories started undeclared war against this country and occupied Jabrail and Fizuli regions on August 23 and Gubadli region on August 31 of 1993, i.e. 15 years ago.
As a result of unjust and unfair war insidious enemy savagely sacked and destroyed over 260 settlements, hundreds of historical and cultural monuments belonging to the IV-XIX centuries, 283 educational and pre-educational establishments, about 450 cultural, 263 medical establishments, as well as 110 industrial and agricultural entities, 4 museums and tens of thousands of museum exhibits, electric and communication installations, roads and bridges, in short, all infrastructure and private property of citizens was looted.
1085 people were killed during military operations in those regions; hundreds of thousands of people were wounded, taken captives and got missing.
About 230 thousand inhabitants were driven away from native lands and, settling in different regions of the republic, were obliged to live as poor IDPs.
As a result of Armenian aggression living condition was destroyed and negatively changed in these regions, Azerbaijani government fulfilled great works in order to improve its population’s living condition, constructed several settlements with all necessary facilities in Bilasuvar and Fizuli regions.
But although it was impossible to settle all problems of these people, different illnesses and deaths increased, childbirth statistics was decreased and general demographic condition was worsen.
Armenian armed bands besides destroying everything in the occupied territories belonging to the history, culture, economy and public life of Azerbaijan, barbarically ruined ecology, flora and fauna of that zone.
Armenia not taking into account the international rules and roughly destroying them intentionally delays negotiation process held by the OSCE Minsk Group and deviates from fulfilling resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of the UN Security Council by continuing to settle in the mentioned areas.
The participants of the round table on subject “Jabrail, Fizuli and Gubadli – 15 years under Armenian bondage” appealed to the UNO, the European Union, the OSCE, heads of the OSCE Minsk Group member-states and the International Red Cross Committee calling them on to take strict measures to ensure territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, to release the occupied territories, including Jabrail, Fizuli and Gubadli regions, from Armenian armed forces, to free Azerbaijani citizens captured during the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict and clarify the fate of missing people.
The appeal “Jabrail, Fizuli and Gubadli – 15 years under Armenian bondage” was adopted by the participants of the round table held by “Association for Civil society Development in Azerbaijan” together with Public Association for “Protection of Rights of Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in Azerbaijan” on 22 August, 2008, in Baku
ARMENIA IS HOPELESS
The Russia-Georgia conflict created lots of problems not only for Georgia, but for all countries around it, and particularly for Armenia which has communication lines with its main partner which is Russia, as well as other European and Asian countries for more than a decade running through Georgia.
The recent events led to total suspension of any communication between Russia and Georgia. In fact any blockade of Georgia by Russia immediately turns into blockade of Armenia. It is clear that in the beginning of its actions against Georgia Russia did not care much of possible consequences for its ally in the region which is Armenia. It moved in accordance with its own goals and intentions. The reality of the moment put Armenia into a simply hopeless situation when it was cut off the markets in Russia and Ukraine which supply necessary raw materials for Armenia’s industry and export further its goods. Negative influence on the Armenian politics and economy as the direct result of the Russian-Georgian conflict can be easily seen. If we infer that the ongoing conflict is getting worse then it would be easy to assume the situation in Armenia will get closer to calamitous in the near future. It is not a joke that the trading volume of Armenia with Russia makes 13-14% of its foreign trade volume. Moreover, it is totally dependent on Russian gas supplies transported through Georgia, and this is not the end of story. The Russia-Georgia conflict placed Armenia facing the danger of total isolation and blockade while its main strategic ally was left out of reach.
Ongoing regional events have nothing positive for Armenia. It is known that Russia announced its recognition of the independence of self-proclaimed Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The matter of legal or illegal nature is another case in this event. The case is that the Kremlin will push on its close allies from the Organization of the Treaty on Collective Security (OTCS) including Armenia.
What shall Armenia do now as a member of the OTCS, and the only Russian “outpost” in the South Caucasus? It is difficult or even impossible to say no to Russia. By the way, some short-sighted high-rank Armenian politicians hurried to welcome Russia’s actions on the Georgian territory. But the case is not that simple. The recognition of South Ossetia’s and Abkhazia’s independence is a fatal case for her. It is not the matter of crossing out possibilities of regional integration in such case. The case is that doing this Armenia will force Georgia to cut off Armenia’s outreach to the Black Sea which will be justified as fully legal and right actions. The “western” brothers of Armenia would not blame Georgia in doing this. Thus, in such situation Armenia will be left alone in real and justified blockade from Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, having only one exit to Iran. Some experts think that the effectiveness of this single way is doubtful for its political and economic results. If Armenia says no to its “elder brother” all its hopes and future life will be under threat. It is not a secret that Armenia owes to Russia for its very existence.
Therefore, Armenia was left in an embarrassing situation as the result of conflict between Russia and Georgia. However, it is not the only reason for the latter’s plight. It is necessary to sustain normal human life with your neighbors, and not lead aggressive and hostile politics against them. It is important not to rattle your weapons and deal with separatism as Armenia does. It bothers all and Turkey with fictitious and intrude idea of the so-called “1915 genocide”, and, at the same time conducts unannounced war against Azerbaijan occupying one fifth of the latter’s territory. Moreover, it also justifies the aggression against its northern neighbor Georgia.
And now Armenia fusses about and trying to find out a loophole to get rid off her plight. In fact, it resembles a stone thrown at someone’s back but hitting one’s heel…
DAMAGES INFLICTED BY THE OCCUPATION OF JABRAIL DISTRICT
The district borders with the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadly districts and the former Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous District of Azerbaijan.
Territory – 1,050 km²
Settlements – 91
Martyrs fell during the military operations – 351 persons
Disabled veterans – 177 persons
Taken captives and hostages – 91 persons
Population expelled from their native lands – 61,000 people
Houses – 13,000
Industrial, agricultural and construction facilities – 63
Educational centers (schools, vocational schools, kindergartens, music facilities) – 91
Health centers – 77 (for 510 beds)
Culture centers – 149
Mosques – 5
Libraries – 78
Cinema facilities – 20
Museums – 2
More than 10 thousand rare museum exhibits
Stadiums – 1
Historical and religious monuments – 134
Republican motorways – more than 80 km
Bridges -56
Water-pipes – more than 60 km
Electric lines – more than 281 km
Forests – 4,480 hectares
Arable lands and pastures – 58,568 hectares
Domestic animals (private and public sectors) – more than 70,000 heads
Orchards – 1,077 hectares
Vineyards – 6,993 hectares
Approximate damage – 4,5 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 (18th century) in the town of Jabrail; octagonal Dairavi mausoleum in Khubyarly village (19th century); Dairevi mausoleum in Shykhlar village (15th 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; Siklop construction near Tatar village; “Agoglan” near Jabrail; “Tumas ata” near Dagtumas.
DAMAGES INFLICTED BY 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 -80 (58 under the occupation)
Martyrs fell 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
Housing stock – 1,284 m²
Industrial, agricultural and construction facilities – 65
Educational centers (schools, vocational and technical schools, kindergartens, music facilities) – 121
Health centers – 84
Cultural facilities – 165
State Theater of Drama – 1
Mosques – 6
Libraries – 70
Cinema facilities – 20
Museums – 2
More than 10 thousand exhibits
Stadium – 1
Historical and religious monuments – 125
Republican motorways – more than 90 km
Bridges – 52
Water-pipes – more than 75 km
Electric lines – more than 350 km
Forests – 500 hectares
Arable lands and pastures – 65,700 hectares
Domestic animals (public and private sectors) – more than 80,000 heads
Orchards – 1,200 hectares
Vineyards – over 7,000 hectares
Approximate damage – 5,5 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 13th century; Baba Mausoleum of the 13 century; Ashagy Veysalli Mosque; Haji Giyasaddin Mosque in Gargabazar village from the 13th century; 18th century Karavan-saray; 18th century mausoleum; 18th century mosque in Gochahmadli village and others are among those historical monuments of the district.
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN
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 fell 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
Housing stock – 445,000 m²
Industrial, agricultural and construction facilities – more than 40
Educational centers (schools, vocational schools, kindergartens, music centers) – 64
Health centers – 63
Cultural facilities – 111
Mosques – 5
Libraries – 60
Cinema facilities – 23
Museums – 1
More than 5 thousand exhibits
Stadiums – 1
Historical and religious monuments – about 80
Republican motorways – more than 60 km
Bridges – 36
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.
Such shrines of the 4th century AD as “Demirchiler Turbesi”, Haji Bedel and Lalezar bridges, as well as many other historical monuments of Eyin, Yusifbayli, Seytas, Garagajly, Hajamsakhly villages and ancient caves are under the occupation.
EXULTATION OF KARABAKH SEPARATISTS
Recent events in Georgia shook the whole world. It had a reason: all were afraid of the third world war. It was not a coincidence that relevant international organizations as the UN, EU, OSCE, NATO and others, including leading world states immediately reacted on what happened, and the issue is still on their agenda.
Despite Russia’s expectations the fact of recognizing independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was not welcomed in the world which is quite obvious why: it is the second incident after Kosovo which may trigger the process of reshaping borders in the world, and this will definitely cause lots of armed conflicts, new bloodshed and tragedy of human lives. Who does want it? It seems that no one conscious would want it! However, it comes out that there are those who can be exultant over others’ calamities, those who would seek personal benefit from thousands of human disasters. And we will talk of them later on.
At this point I want to cite Vladimir Putin’s words said when he was the Russian President during the informal summit of CIS leaders in Moscow in the beginning of this year: “Kosovo precedent is a very dangerous one. In fact, it breaks the whole system of international affairs which evolved during hundreds of years. And it may drag a chain of unforeseen consequences. The states which recognized the independence from Serbia unilaterally proclaimed by the region’s leadership, do not count results of their deeds. In brief it is like two ends of the story, and the second stick will once hit their heads”. Yes, these are the words by the former president and present prime-minister, which “broke the system of international affairs which evolved during hundreds of years”. The one who accused those who recognized Kosovo’s independence followed their steps himself!
And now let see who exulted over Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s independence.
According to mass media the “president” of “Nagorno Karabakh” (quotes to follow – G.Z.) Bako Saakyan out of his immense encouragement of the recognition of Abkahzia’s and South Ossetia’s independence sent his congratulations to two “presidents” Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoyty. In the first letter the leader of Karabakh separatists wrote: “The people of Nagorno Karabakh welcomed such a long-awaited for your nation news with sincere joy”. Further he states in his letter that “the international recognition of independence would bolster development and prosperity of the Republic of Abkhazia”. In the second letter sent to South Ossetia’s separatists Saakyan expresses his joy saying: “The way to independence was thorny and full of numerous difficulties and hardships for the people of South Ossetia. But the republic managed to overcome them with dignity. “Arzakh” is sincerely glad for the recognition of independence of the Republic of South Ossetia”.
It should be said that the position of Armenia regarding the fact of Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s independence is quite different from the “NKR’s”. The official Yerevan “kills two birds with one stone” using the language of Head of Mass Media Outreach Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan: “Armenia has always stuck to the opinion that the military way of conflict resolution is a dead-end decision. Such conflicts shall be settled on the basis of free will expression”. The first “bird” is a hint for Azerbaijan not to consider military way of solution for the Karabakh problem, and the second is that the conflict shall be resolved in accordance with the will expression of the “people” of Karabakh.
Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s independence is not being digested by the international community. The joy of those “unrecognized” from Karabakh has nothing to speed up the process of “digestion”, and it remains as a mere euphoria of Karabakh separatists.
I would like to add that the whole international support for the Russian forceful reshape of Georgia’s borders was made of HAMAS, “Hizbullah” and Nagorno Karabakh.
This needs no comments, does not it?
G.ZEYNALOGLY,
“Voice of Karabakh”
By the Editor-in-chief
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
“WHAT IS RUSSIA DOING?”
The whole world was flurried with the recent events in Georgia. And the international public opinion on this issue is not absolutely unanimous. However, the majority of voices is condemning Russia’s operations in the territory of its southern neighbour.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, entities located within the Georgia’s boundaries, de-facto announced their independence and seceded from Georgia a few years ago. Since then, the regional stability and the country’s political, economic and public life has been paralysed. From time to time there were skirmishes between Georgian forces and these breakaway states.
The tension reached its peak in early August when the two conflicting sides clashed. The worst case happened shortly afterwards – claiming commitment to secure safety of its citizens (?-editor) Russian forces entered the conflict zone and engaged in combat. Just a few days of warfare in the Georgian territory resulted in substantial material damages for both sides. Undoubtedly, Georgia suffered much more than Russia. Early reports described massive destructions in Gori, Zougdidi, Senaki, Poti, Tskhinvali and other towns. Hundreds of people have been killed on both sides, with a great deal of weapons destroyed. But the story isn’t just about all these.
Russia’s intervention in the conflict in the Georgian territory triggered a wave of protests and resentment by the world community. First and foremost, Russia, one of the leading world powers, found itself in the atmosphere of suspicion and distrust vis-à-vis its respect to the main principles of international relations, including territorial integrity and sovereignty of the states.
See how this principle is disregarded by the indiscreet words of the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov: “One can forget about talks on Georgia’s territorial integrity”. Whereas previously, official Moscow had consistently declared recognition of territorial integrity of all states, including Georgia. Hence, it seems our northern neighbour is able to forget about “talks on territorial integrity” of any country and treat it the same way as Georgia at any moment. Interesting, how will Russia itself behave in case of similar scenarios, should they happen in the numerous national entities within its own territory.
Despite widespread international criticism, Russia has completed the mission to bring Georgia down under the so-called “enforcement of peace” proclamation. Subsequent moves by Russia were even more shocking for the world. Shortly after suspension of military operations, Russia officially recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia, unrecognised entities located within the UN-recognised boundaries of Georgia. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev explained this decision by the intention to “protect peoples’ lives” and called on other countries to do the same, so far unsuccessfully. In his statement, Medvedev was referring to the Russian citizens in the region, allegedly making up 90-95% of the entire population of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But it’s well-known how this number was derived.
Russia’s move triggered a wave of resentment and protests from international organisations such as the UN, Council of E