Today, Azerbaijan
Jan 9 2010
Inevitable process: Armenia set to withdraw from Azerbaijan’s lands
09 January 2010 [12:59] – Today.Az
New trenches are being dug in Azerbaijan’s Armenian-occupied lands to
build a new restrictive line.
Not only military staff, but also the local population are involved
in this work. The news was presented to Armenian society almost with
enthusiasm. They say even if Azerbaijan beats them in the first
defense line, there will be second defense line in reserve.
Azerbaijani blitzkrieg will ostensibly not work as the occupying army
will retreat to the spare position. The euphoria is fueled by a need
to confront "aggressive rhetoric of Baku" who reportedly is going to
organize a march and reach Armenia’s frontiers already in spring.
Recently, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan held a meeting. He and the
military staff stated that the Armenian army is capable to withstand
any challenges. Armenian media happily sighed. All experts spoke of a
possible help by Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Russian, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan,
Uzbekistan to protect their CSTO partner Armenia from the
"bloodthirsty Azerbaijan.’ Ordinary residents of the neighboring
country assured that their state is preparing for a major war together
with partners as evidenced by these trenches.
This is a very strange logic. Pan Armenian campaign against illiteracy
is needed in this regard.
One should not rule out possibility of renewed hostilities either.
Azerbaijan does not exclude such scenario of events. It has a full
right to do so. But it still communicates unwilling to see victims,
because it believes in victory of a reason. Most importantly, we
already see some progress which shows success of diplomacy. Want
proof? Gentlemen, these are the very trenches you are digging. They
are dug and fortified not in wartime, but in process of peaceful
settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Armenia is set to return occupied lands under pressure. This was
inevitable. There is nothing surprising about it.
Perhaps, few people know about it in Yerevan. So, I will point out
everything in detail: all the previously submitted and currently
debated proposals by co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group call for complete
withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijan’s lands. Moreover,
under the proposals, local forces of the Karabakh Armenians must
depart from the southern and eastern areas to the limits of the former
Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region. Both package of proposals and
proposals to solve the conflict step-by-step contained these
conditions.
The so-called Madrid principles are being considered currently. So,
withdrawal of troops in that order is the first step in a peace
settlement. It will be followed (if the parties agree as we already
notice understanding) deployment of peacekeepers, demilitarization of
the region, repatriation of of IDPs to their places of permanent
residence, opening communication and discussing status of Karabakh.
Let’s have a commonplace look at the situation. What do we see?
Armenians are digging trenches around the former Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Region. Will the western neighbors be delighted at that? Of
course, yes. They will finally get rid of a conflict which has driven
Armenia in a difficult position.
Azerbaijani citizens will also feel happy. Their endurance gave real
results. All the same, they were able to achieve their target.
It is no accident that we all are going to witness significant
progress in resolving the Karabakh conflict soon. After all, we have a
clear indicator – Armenians are digging trenches and ditches,
narrowing the area of the occupied territory.
Kanan Guluzade
Day.Az writer
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