"ECHO": WHEN PRISONERS WILL BE RELEASED?
R. Orujev
Democratic Azerbaijan
Jan 10 2006
Armenian part is silent
Terms of release of two Azerbaijani soldiers still being in Armenian
captivity are not known yet. Such conclusion comes from information
of competent agencies to which "Echo" applied.
It should be reminded that December 24 junior sergeant Samir Mamadov
military man of N-unit of Gazakh region who was recruited a year
ago by Barda regional military commissariat was taken prisoner by
Armenians. He was taken prisoner at neutral area at the distance
of 15 km. from military unit at the borders of Gazakh and Ijevan
regions. He had no weapons or ammunition.
December 31, Eldaniz Nuriyev was taken prisoner. Born in 1976 recruited
in July 2005 he was taken prisoner at south part of front in Fizuli
region. Yesterday representative of press center of Defense Ministry
of Azerbaijan, Ilgar Verdiyev, declared for "Echo" that both military
men were taken prisoners when they lost their way.
Accordingly to him, "there are places of these parts of front separated
by 50 m. only. It is necessary to be cautious there. And sometimes
people are taken prisoner their by mistake. That is both incidents
can be explained by mere chance".
As head of press service of Baku office of International Committee of
Red Cross, Gulnaz Guliyeva, informed the recent available news says
that owing to representatives of their structure in Armenia letter
of Azerbaijani soldier Samir Mamadov being in Armenia now was sent
to his family January 8.
In turn secretary of work group of the Republic of Azerbaijan on
military prisoners, hostages and missing people, Shahin Sailov,
informed "Echo" that he can say "nothing" concerning soldier’s
release. Accordingly to him they are still waiting for response from
Armenian side to the letters sent there.
Esmira Orujeva, head of public union for assistance of military
prisoners, hostages and missing people "Way of Sorrow" expressed her
opinion for "Echo" regarding frequent attacks against military men
of Azerbaijani army.
"It is clear to me as to anybody else that Ministry of Defense must
be blamed for such incidents, – she declared. – It is not secret that
this ministry organizes no military training with newly recruited
men. My own son who returned from army 4 years ago told me so. They
are not even taught how to use guns. That is military preparation in
our army is on zero level. Moreover officers who should train soldiers
treat the latter very badly. Accordingly to information that come to
our union from relatives of soldiers (including those who used to be
in captivity), officers abuse soldiers in order to get bribes. It is
fault of defense Ministry. In the country experiencing state of war,
20% territories of which is occupied, with over 5000 missing people,
with 753 citizens being in Armenian captivity, Defense Ministry
should be strong enough from the point of view of military training
for the country could see its army ready for war anytime. And our
Defense Ministry does nothing. And another question – why soldiers of
State Frontier Service and Ministry of Internal Affairs never find
themselves in Armenian captivity? It once again testifies the fault
of Defense Ministry". Accordingly to E.
Orujaliyeva Armenians regularly and quite quickly release young
Azerbaijani soldiers in order to divert attention of international
community from the fact of 5000 missing Azerbaijanis, 753 hostages
whose names are known. "In order to not release them Armenians with
attempt to show themselves as those who respect humanitarian values
just regularly take our young soldiers prisoners and then release
them. Thus they try to prove that if they had any other hostages they
would certainly return them. And there are Azerbaijanis who have been
in Armenian captivity for 14-15 years and they are still there".
At the same time independent military expert, Uzeir Jafarov, casts
doubt on reliability of information of Defense Ministry that all
Azerbaijani soldiers recently taken prisoner have become victims of
lack of experience and chance. "It also concerns Eldaniz Nuriyev who
has been in Armenian captivity since December 31. He is a family man
of 30 years old. And his being in captivity because of losing his
way is out of question. I used to be deputy commander of brigade in
Fizuli direction. And there is no place there where soldier can get
lost and enter Armenian area. I hold that Armenian frontier service
is involved with each case. They just used situation and on the eve
of new year took Azerbaijani soldier. I once again repeat that E.
Nuriyev is experienced soldier who has served for his front unit a
year and a half, he knew all places. I think within January Nuriyev
and S, Mamadov will be released. Negotiations are under way and yet
there is no information that the soldiers don’t want to return. It is
explained by their experience. S. Mamadov is referred to the number
of junior commanders of his unit, E. Nuriyev is grown person, family
man. Armenian special services just try to get as much information
as possible from them".
By the way accordingly to U. Jafarov criminal case is commenced
relating to soldier Vusal Garachayev native of Balakan region who
was taken prisoner by Armenians December 7 in Agdam region and he
was returned December 23.
Asked if such incidents will continue taking place on front, military
expert declared that accordingly to available information "after
third case officers of Defense Ministry, Army units were strictly
instructed to prevent cases of taking prisoner. These officers have
been attached to all front units separately and they are responsible.
Within January joint meeting of country leadership and Defense Ministry
is expected. They will discuss activity of this ministry.
President will be informed of state of affairs following results
of examination carried out by special group of officers. I don’t
think officers in front zone will feel themselves in freedom, as
if leadership of Defense Ministry got strict warning from country
leadership then commanders of units and brigades should be concerned
now. They are trying to prevent incidents in their units".
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress