Time for consideration of Armenian Genocide within international legal framework – expert

December 22, 2014 By administrator

The activities aimed at getting the Armenian Genocide internationally recognized and condemned must be intensified as the centennial of the Armenian Genocide is approaching, according to expert in Turkic studies Ruben Safrastyan.

In this context, he points out the need for transition from the process of international recognition to consideration of the problem of the Armenian Genocide within legal framework.

“The slogan ‘Demand and Condemn’ must be translated into reality. International lawyers need to be involved and a group formed for consideration of the Armenian Genocide problem at the International Court of Justice,” Mr Safrastyan told Armenpress.

“We must be able to make our demand as urgent as possible in the context of international law. Research work needs to be intensified with involvement of leading international experts. In this respect, we have much to do. We are dealing with Turkey, a state making huge investment in its struggle to deny [the Armenian Genocide]. But we are right, and we must succeed.”

As regards international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Mr Safrastyan noted that the bills adopted by the Greek and Bolivian Parliaments are the result of tremendous work by the Armenian Diaspora and Armenian diplomats.

As regards Armenian-Turkish relations, the expert said:

“Turkey has not changed its policy for decades: setting preconditions and forcing Armenia to change its diplomatic course.”

Azerbaijani military experts expose Defense Ministry’s fraud about allegedly ‘‘attacking helicopter’’

November 15, 2014 By administrator

Military commentator Rashad Suleymanov published a status on his Facebook page in which he expressed dissatisfaction with the demonstration of video footage that proves that the NKR Air Force helicopter was shot down in the Armenian territory and it did not even try to attack the Azerbaijani positions; this contradicts the version of the events presented by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

“If tomorrow war starts, there will be no need to send journalists to the front line. There’s our military armed with Ipad-s and phones,” outrages the military commentator and notes that the grandparents too sitting by the road with their iPhones in their hands will work as journalists.

In another status a Suleymanov outrages with the inaction of the official structures of Azerbaijan in connection with the distribution of the footage. “I bring to the attention of Alaftun [Amashev] that the video footage of the downed helicopter published by our media contradicts with the official information of the Defense Ministry. I say this as a person familiar with military affairs and the line of contact,” Suleymanov writes.

He also notes that Azerbaijan cannot carry out war with a press, where work deserters who “escape” from the army and do not understand anything in military life.

It is noteworthy that one of the participants of the discussion – a user named Ruslan Rahimov draws attention to the fact that the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan itself extended the screenshots of this very video. Another participant of the discussion – military expert Uzeir Jafarov confesses that he is the author of this video, and notes that the Defense Ministry would spread a video footage with better quality, if it was available.

“Rashad, I understand your concern, but no need to worry. Perhaps you are concerned with the fact that the military servicemen tell the commander “hit” and that the second helicopter moves off. PERMISSION was granted officially. The soldiers were simply a bit in a hurry. Ilkin just clicked on the “button”, Jafarov says.

Another panellist – user named Hagani Safaroglu notes that the official statement of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry about the attacking helicopter and the video footage published in the Azerbaijani media apparently contradict each other. “What this amateurishness means? Defense Ministry is obliged to give an explanation,” the user writes.

After this discussion, Aflatun Amashov, the chairman of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, issued a statement condemning the media for dissemination of the video. “No journalist could have taken the moment when the helicopter was shot down. In this case, question arises – how could the media get this footage. I think that this should be seriously investigated,” Amashev stated.

As NKR Defense Ministry press service reported earlier, on November 12, at around 1:45 pm, Nagorno Karabakh Air Forces’ Mi-24 helicopter was shot by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces during military training flight in the airspace in the eastern section of Karabakh – Azerbaijan Line of Contact. The land, on which the incident occurred, is in close proximity to the line of contact. Opponent after the incident continued intense bombardment scene from weapons of different caliber. The place where the helicopter was shot is close to the Line of Contact. The enemy continued to fire shots from weapons of different calibers after the incident.

Meanwhile, the press secretary of Armenian Defense Minister Artsrun Hovhannisyan wrote on his Facebook page that Azerbaijani Armed Forces have carried out an unprecedented provocation on the border with the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh; this has also led to escalation of the situation. In the same time the fabrications of the Azerbaijani side, as if the Armenian helicopters had attacked their positions and they allegedly had merely responded to this step, are senseless. “The study of the wreckage of the helicopter will confirm that he was not armed. The escalation of the Azerbaijani side has continued even after the helicopter fall down. Moreover, the Azerbaijani side continued shelling, not allowing even to get closer to the pilots. The consequences of this unprecedented escalation will be very harmful for the Azerbaijani side and will remain as a stain on the conscience of the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan. Captain of the helicopter was Major Sergei Sahakyan. Information about the fate of the crew will be given later,” Artsrun Hovhannisyan stated.

Azerbaijan unlikely to take special steps to establish control of Nagorno-Karabakh airspace – Alexander Krylov

November 14, 2014 By administrator

In response to Tert.am’s question concerning Azerbaijan’s determination to keep its promises to shoot down Armenian helicopters and airplanes in the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace, Russia-based political scientist, Doctor of History Alexander Krylov said:

“Considering bellicose statements and militant rhetoric prevailing in that country, I am sure that many other servicemen may try to follow Muradov’s example. I think that Azerbaijan’s leadership is less likely to take special steps to establish control of the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace. However, if the conflicting parties and mediators fail to defuse the tension, more skirmishes will occur.”

The downing of the Armenian helicopter during a training flight threatens with tensions and even hostilities. Do you think the situation will develop into large-scale hostilities? What is your opinion on the Azerbaijani foreign office’s statement declaring Nagorno-Karabakh’s airspace a no-fly zone?

For years, Baku has been trying to force the Armenian side into capitulation by pressing and “wearing out” the Armenian armed forces. It is no coincidence that I speak of ‘capitulation’ because it is not a matter of mutual concessions. Azerbaijan’s only aim is the capitulation in question, as well as re-establishing control of the territories Azerbaijan considers “occupied.” It is with that end in view that, from year to year, especially this year, the military component of this policy has shown an upward tendency. I mean the August events, and a helicopter has been shot down.

I do not think this tension will develop into new war because Ilham Aliyev can only launch a real offensive if Azerbaijan’s victory is guaranteed. This, in turn, is only possible if Azerbaijan has decisive military supremacy over Armenia, that is, international support, Turkey’s military support, as well as consent by Russia and other international actors. Otherwise, resuming hostilities would be a perilous adventure on Ilham Aliyev’s part. However, it does not mean that a new war is impossible. First, tension is most dangerous in that the situation might get out of the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaderships’ control and develop into a spontaneous process.

I consider especially dangerous Azerbaijan’s statements on its intention to shoot down all the helicopters and airplanes in the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace, which will make the Armenian side retaliate.

What are the reasons for Baku to show it is not inclined to a peaceful settlement by escalating tensions?

First, I should note that Azerbaijan’s social and economic situation is not at all in harmony with the revenues the state has due to its natural resources. And it is no secret that a great number of Azerbaijani citizens have to emigrate to Russia to earn their living. We should not forget that a substantial proportion of Azerbaijan’s population reside in rural areas and have low incomes.

What is your opinion of Azerbaijan’s determination to keep its promises to shoot down Armenian helicopters and airplanes in the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace?

Considering bellicose statements and militant rhetoric prevailing in that country, I am sure that many other servicemen may try to follow Muradov’s example. I think that Azerbaijan’s leadership is less likely to take special steps to establish control of the Nagorno-Karabakh airspace. However, if the conflicting parties and mediators fail to defuse the tension, more skirmishes will occur. It is in this case that a situation is much more likely to develop into a spontaneous process, which I have mentioned.

Expert: there is no military logic to Azerbaijan’s attack

November 14, 2014 By administrator

The shooting down of an Armenian helicopter on the ceasefire line – known as the line of contact that separates Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone – is the worst incident of its kind in more than 20 years of the truce that ended the war of the early 1990s. Three Armenians were killed, and the Azerbaijani officer who shot down the helicopter was given a medal for courage. It is a very disturbing development that follows a serious upsurge of fighting in the summer in which more than 20 soldiers were killed on both sides, says Thomas de Waal, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. report PanARMENIAN.Net

A video taken from the Azerbaijani side shows a missile being fired and one of the two helicopters bursting into flames to shouts of excitement from the Azerbaijani soldiers, the expert notes.

There is no military logic to these attacks. A local commander can be responsible for small arms fire, but use of heavier weapons takes a decision from politicians higher up, de Waal emphasizes, adding that Azerbaijan is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars of oil and gas revenues into buying heavy weapons.

“Meanwhile, the international presence is just as it was in 1994: only six monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observe the ceasefire along a line of 100 miles (160km), plus the increasingly tense international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he says.

According to de Waal, this violence is a reminder that the two armies are always one step away from another war and that only their own calculation of what is in their best interests holds them back from starting one.

There is every danger now of tit-for-tat retaliations, and the Armenians have already threatened a “painful” response to the downing of the helicopter, he says.