Armenia ready to fight for every inch of land in Nagorno-Karabakh – minister

September 10, 2016 By administrator

Armenia’s minister of defense ruled out the return of any inch of land to Azerbaijan in the wake of the upcoming processes over Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).
Speaking to Tert.am, Seyran Ohanyan said that Armenia expects only a peaceful settlement plan from the international mediators’ upcoming meeting in Moscow.
Asked to comment on the final outcome of the discussions spearheaded by the OSCE Minsk Group, the minister replied, “I think the responsibility for our diplomacy lies upon the competent [government] agencies, which are profoundly informed of the negotiation process. We have only one expectation: implementation of our proposal to achieve only a peaceful political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, relying on a dialogue, mutual agreements, and, last but not least, confidence-building.”
Addresssing rumors on returning regions, Ohanyan stressed the importance of comprehensive decisions stemming from the negotiation process.

“In the existing reality when it is so difficult find common ground with the adversary – especially after the four-day war and in the wake of increased provocations – [the mechanisms promoting] confidence-building on the frontline keep being rejected. That allows us to say that without an atmosphere of trust, mutual agreements will be out of the question. Should anything happen to Artsakh or its people, we will fight for every inch of land.”
Ohanyan said they have observed no tensions over the recent period, with the recently reached agreements being “more or less respected”. He added that Nagorno-Karabakh’s Defense Army uses no heavy equipment, relying only on preventive measures when necessary.

Tigranuhi Martirosyan

Armenia FM: Triumphant army of Karabakh is fighting against new manifestations of fascism

May 9, 2016 By administrator

karabakh triumphant YEREVAN. – The liberation of Shoushi became a turning point in the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh. And it is perhaps no coincidence that the acquired victory corresponds with the Day of Victory against fascism, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said in an interview with the Public Television of Armenia.

In his words, the victorious army of Artsakh is today fighting against new manifestations of fascism.

”Was it not fascism what we witnessed during the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh in early April? Aren’t Baku’s statements – full of xenophobia, impatience and hostility from – fascism? Today’s holiday is a vivid evidence of what happens to fascism in the end,” Nalbandian stressed.

ARF Western US to Raise Funds to Rebuild Artsakh Villages and Support Soldiers

April 30, 2016 By administrator

GLENDALE—In a statement issued Friday, the ARF Dashnaktutyun Western US Central Committee appealed to the community to raise much-needed funds to help rebuild areas of Artsakh most hard-hit by recent Azerbaijani attacks, as well as to provide support to families of fallen soldiers.

Below is the complete text of the announcement.

The heroic people of Artsakh have once again spilled blood defending our homeland. As a clarion call, a mother, while burying her son, expressed the sentiment of the courageous people of Artsakh, “We lost precious lives defending our land. We will not give up one inch of that land to the aggressors.”

The savage attacks by Azerbaijani forces beginning on April 2, along the Nagorno-Karabakh-Azerbaijan border has not only destabilized the region, but also rekindled the possibility of full-scale war threatening the existence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and its people. Although the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army withstood the attacks and delivered a strong response, several villages have been left in ruins, especially the regions of Talish, Mardakert, and Madaghis. The unprovoked aggression has resulted in the loss of civilian and military lives and has taken its toll on the injured soldiers.

We reiterate our solidarity with the government and people of Artsakh, as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army, as they confront yet another breech of the cease fire by Azerbaijan.

The ARF Dashnaktutyun Western US Central Committee, heeding the call from our brethren in Artsakh, has pledged to play a central role in the effort to rebuild the devastated areas as quickly as possible so that the residents may return to their normal lives, and to send a decisive message to Azerbaijan that its military threats will not deter the spirit of the Armenian people and the development of Artsakh.

We call upon all Armenians to join the ACF “With Artsakh” and AYF “With Our Soldiers” efforts in order to actively bring their financial and moral support to free and independent Artsakh.

The National Liberation Struggle for Artsakh began in 1988 and war threatened its existence in the 1990’s. The ARF Western US, with its members, supporters and the vast and diverse affiliate organizations has continually stood with Artsakh and spared nothing to ensure its survival. The time has come to recommit to assisting our brave brothers and sisters in the homeland.

U.S. State of Georgia recognizes Karabakh

March 4, 2016 By administrator

Georgia state

Peach State becomes Sixth to Recognize Artsakh’s Freedom
ATLANTA—The Georgia State House adopted legislation Wednesday recognizing the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and calling upon the international community “to give appropriate recognition to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as a free, independent, and sovereign democracy,” reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Eastern Region.

The Georgia resolution was spearheaded by Representatives Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta) and Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge), both broadly respected Members of the legislature with strong records on education and human rights related issues. The legislators worked closely with ANC of Georgia advocates Dr. Sarkis Agasarkisian and Harutyun Agasarkisian, who have, for more than a decade, worked closely with federal, state and local officials on issues dealing with the Armenian Genocide and broader concerns dealing with Armenia and Artsakh.

“The Georgia Armenian community applauds the leadership of Representatives Gardner and Douglas in securing Georgia’s recognition of Nagorno Karabakh, affirming the universality of the democratic rights and freedoms that are the birthright of Americans and all the citizens of the world,” said Dr. Agasarkisian. “Having taken this proud and principled stand, we now look now to other American states to join with Georgia in recognizing Artsakh.”

The measure, H.R. 1580, which was brought to the floor for a vote on March 2nd and overwhelmingly adopted on a bipartisan basis, makes Georgia the sixth U.S. state to pass legislation recognizing the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, including California, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

In a series of whereas clauses, H.R. 1580 sets forth the facts regarding Nagorno Karabakh and its enduring struggle for freedom. The measure, in addition to calling for formal international recognition of Artsakh’s independence, recognizes the “sacrifices, dedication, and resolve shown by the people of the republic in the face of extreme adversity” and “extends best wishes for peace, prosperity, and continuing success.”

“We are profoundly gratified that America’s fundamental commitment to freedom is powerfully affirmed today in the state of Georgia’s principled recognition of the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. This action truly underscores that the citizens of Georgia see liberty as an inalienable right, not just for Americans but for all the peoples of the earth,” said the Stephen Mesrobian, ANCA Eastern Region Chairman. “We thank the Agasarkisian family and all our local activists, and look forward to working with all our community and coalition partners to grow American support for Artsakh’s independence in cities and states across our great nation.”

The full text of the Resolution is provided below.

House Resolution 1580
By: Representatives Gardner of the 57th and Douglas of the 78th

A RESOLUTION: Honoring and recognizing the Nagorno Karabakh Republic; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has a long and storied history, holding a cherished place in the Armenian people’s history and culture; and

WHEREAS, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic declared its independence on December 10, 1991, after a long struggle that in some respects continues to this day, and the persistent demand for self-determination was an inspiration to people of many nationalities in the region, becoming one of the catalysts for the breakup of the former Soviet Union; and

WHEREAS, through the course of the last two decades, the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic have shown tenacity and perseverance in the face of war, massacres, economic deprivation, and other tremendous hardships; and

WHEREAS, for more than 20 years, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has stayed true and faithful to its citizens by remaining independent while working to bring change and stability to the Caucasus region and by holding free and fair elections and referendums that were widely declared as a model for the region; and

WHEREAS, international observers, including the United States, have assessed the May 3, 2015, Parliamentary Elections in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as free and transparent.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and its citizens; recognize the sacrifices, dedication, and resolve shown by the people of the republic in the face of extreme adversity; extend best wishes for peace, prosperity, and continuing success; and encourage the international community to give appropriate recognition to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as a free, independent, and sovereign democracy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

BigCaucasus about how Armenian volunteers defeated Chechen mercenaries in Karabakh who fought for Azerbaijan

May 17, 2013 By administrator

“The president of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has recently made a rather interesting statement. Kadyrov has declared that the Chechen mercenaries have been involved in hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh,” reads the article in the “BigCaucasus”, which also contains Kadyrov’s record on the LiveJournal’s service: “The Chechen mercenaries were involved in the armed forces of both sides (of the conflict) in Nagorno-Karabakh war.”

The “BigCaucasus” notes that immediately after the statement of the president of Chechnya, the MFA of Nagorno Karabakh gave a rather deployed comment on the situation. “The statements that Chechen mercenaries fought for the Karabakh Armenians are absolutely untrue. Unlike Azerbaijan, no mercenaries of any nationality have ever fought on the NKR side,” the statement of the MFA of NKR read.

“Numerous facts testify that in 1992-1993, about 3.000 Afghan mojahedins, as well as Chechen detachments headed by Shamil Basayev fought against the Karabakh Army. In early July 1992, the Chechen mercenaries in Nagorno Karabakh amounted to about 300. In July 1993, Chechen-Press Agency reported about Chechens՛ participation in the military activities in Nagorno Karabakh, which was confirmed by the first losses among them,” the MFA of Nagorno Karabakh reports.

Maj. Gen. Astvatsatur Petrosyan the commander of the “Eagles bombers” squad told the “BigCaucasus” about the details of participation of Chechen squads in the Karabakh war. “Chechens fought in Karabakh, but not on the Armenians’ side. When they were taken hostage they presented themselves as Russians or representatives of other nationalities. They would not have fought for the Christians,” the general said.

He also noted that a detachment of Cossacks from Transnistria fought on the Armenians’ side for a short time, but losing 7 people in one of the battles in September 1992, they confessed that it was very difficult to fight in Karabakh.

There were moments during the fighting in Karabakh when the Armenian and Chechen troops were to fight against one another.
“During the fight of 1992, we saw about 70 militants at Karmaravan city, who were fighting for Azerbaijan. They stood out by the black uniform that they were wearing on. When we shot down their armor and took some of them as captives, it turned out that those were Chechen mercenaries who were fighting in Karabakh for the Azerbaijani Armed Forces,” he said.

The captivated Chechens confessed that they were promised to be given salary at a rate of 15 thousand rubles, with the prospect of rising to 40,000.

Petrossian is one of the three generals who have developed and successfully carried out an operation to free the fortress city of Shushi. He leads a simple life; he speaks of war only when the journalists ask him to do.

The general reminded that the Azerbaijani side also used the Russian and Tatar militants to carry out sabotage in the rear of the Armenian forces. “During the war, a detachment of 15 people, mostly Russian and Tatar, had, reportedly, expressed desire to fight on our side. However, we quickly figured out that this was a well trained team sent by Baku aimed at carrying out sabotage in the rear of our troops. We have figured out and quickly neutralized them,” the general said.

As A. Petrosyan told, Shamil Basayev was in Karabakh twice – in 1992 and 1994. “Both Basayev and Dudayev were professional soldiers, who had finished the school of the General Staff of the USSR. Basayev participated in the Karabakh not just as an envoy of Soviet KGB. This structure functioned against the Armenians during the war. Basayev was in Azerbaijani training center. He was well trained; he was involved in coaching and training the troops of Azerbaijani AF. He was not involved in the fights personally,” said the general, noting that in 1992 the Armenian units surrounded, and then occupied the Azerbaijani training center, and Basayev managed to move to Georgia.

As stated in the material, in those days the media wrote that the Chechen rebels had left the war stage after suffering significant losses. In 2000, Basayev gave an interview to ANS Azerbaijani TV Company, admitting his involvement in the Karabakh war: “We came to fight in Karabakh not for trophies, but for the idea of jihad“. However, Basayev told, “when we arrived at the scene and saw the situation, we realized that there was no sign of jihad”.

Source: Panorama.am