Rasim Musabekov: "Armenians are hinted that they should moderate their appetites and become more compliant at the talks conducted in the framework of the Minsk Group"

-How would you comment on the information that the All-Armenian pilgrimage to Nagorno Karabakh "Forward Armenia, forward to God" starts on May 1 from Saint Echmiadzin?

-I think this event does not deserve any political analysis. Tens of such events are held every year and they do not cause any significant reaction. That is they have local, internal-Armenian context. The present one is held by initiative of the church leadership, which thus attempts to overcome the deep split in the Armenian society following the disgraceful elections.

Karabakh clan has rudely falsified them and set their successor Serzh Sarkissyan to presidency. The protest of the supporters of ex-president Levon Sarkissyan and greater part of the population was brutally supressed. I do not think that such an action will have to improve the state. I would remind that the anniversary of the so called "genocide" had been marked recently and  they did not manage to create illusion of Armenian unity on this day. The powers and opposition came to the memorial in different rows, while the latter could not help anti-governmental scansions.

-As we know, the 20th anniversary of Artsakh liberation is to be marked in the Vilsher Ebell theater of Los Angeles on May 2. Is it proposed that the Karabakh clan, which usurped powers in Armenia, will try to legitimate itself by speculating with the Karabakh issue and trying to draw attention of the Armenian diaspora in the United States, which was actively supporting Levon Ter-Petrosyan during the presidential elections in Armenia?

-The Karabakh clan and Serzh Sarkissyan personally strive to use foreign diaspora for neutralization of the negative image of Armenia and its own government following falsification of elections and violence against opposition. Yet Armenia's foreign diaspora has been deeply split. The old Diaspora, which lives in comfort and security in the West, is ready to support the extremist "Karabakh clan"  to revenge to Turks, even via occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

But the part of diaspora, which left Armenia not long ago and maintains closer ties with it, having idea of the situation, which the Kocharyan-Sarkissyan tandem has led the country to, arranges numerous protest actions. Its representatives also urge to impose sanctions on Yerevan if the authorities do not release the prisoners and punish those responsible for the bloodshed, committed against opposition. Thus, diaspora would hardly help Sarkissyan to consolidate the regime and the society.

-And what is the reason of Armenians' decision to speculate actively on Karabakh in early may, committing real provocation?

-And what is left to them? Armenian society has split and Azerbaijan is  gradually developing its economic and geopolitical potential, strengthening the diplomatic and information pressure. The proof is the recent resolution of the UN General Assembly on the situation in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Soon this superiority will be strengthened by the undoubted military supremacy of Azerbaijan.

Soon Armenian powers will have to think not on the consolidation of results of the Phyrric victory in the war of 1992-1993, when Armenians, making use of the temporary weakness of the state powers in Azerbaijan, occupied 7 of our regions, but about ways out of the situation with not completely empty hands. The Karabakh clan intends to consolidate its regime, by straining the situation and on the other hand provoke renewal of military actions before the military superiority of Azerbaijan becomes too evident.

-How should the world community react to such actions of Armenians, considering the fact that none of the world countries have recognized independence of Nagorno Karabakh and influential international organization Human Rights Watch called the Khojali genocide of 1992 the most terrible tragedy among those committed by Armenians during the war?

-Armenians has many supporters including among superstates. Yet, they, as well as international structures, realize that if they failed to make Azerbaijan surrender Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia in the 1990s, when we were much weaker, than now, it would be unreal to attain this goal in the current situation.

Armenians are given hints that they should moderate their appetites and become for compliant in the talks held within the Minsk Group. The recently adopted resolution of the UN General Assembly  should be perceived in this sense. Certainly, the matter is not the sanctions, or possible military reprisals, but I consider that pressure on Yerevan by the world society will grow.

-And the last question: which steps should official Baku undertake in current conditions?

-In fact. the program of actions results from the opportunities, Azerbaijan has, owing to favorable oil, financial and geopolitical conjuncture. It is only necessary to use these objective advantages rationally, transform them into a sound basis for country's modernization, strengthening of its military potential, strategic partnership with the West.

It is also important to avoid actions, which may affect Azerbaijan negatively, in the sense of observance of human rights and democratic  liberties. Undoubtedly, it is necessary not only to continue but also to grow the economic, diplomatic and information pressure on Armenians and prove Azerbaijan's right in the leading capitals of the world and international structures and compliance of its position with the norms of law and justice.

/Day.Az/