Monday, July 17 2017 14:21

ArmInfo.Serzh Sargsyan does not believe that the July events on the at the contact  line  (Azerbaijan used the civilian population as a human shield, during the shelling of the Karabakh positions -ed.)  -are  a new stage  of  the Karabakh conflict, because,  according to his assessment, unfortunately, it is pretty long time the tension on the contact line has been established . 

The Armenian leader stated that there are occasional local incidents,  which, thanks to the parties, so to speak, the media receive a wide  public response. <Usually this happens when the incidents result in  human casualties. And the events of July 4 are caused precisely by  this. And why for a long time there is tension on the line of  contact, I think, for many it is obvious and understandable. Since  the moment when the Azerbaijani side practically refused to fulfill  the Madrid principles, there was no other way than that, since if he  refuses to fulfill these principles and the world reigns on the  borders, then the international community and within Azerbaijan will  form an opinion that Baku reconciled with the existing status quo.  And, consequently, we need tensions and incidents in order to bring  facts to our own society on the one hand, that they continue to  struggle seriously for the conquest of Nagorno-Karabakh, on the other  - to remind the international community that they have not reconciled  to the situation, "Sargsyan said in an interview <P - evolution>.

At the same time, the Armenian leader noted that he does not share  the opinion that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group put an equal  sign between the parties. He noted that at least three times it was  indicated who initiated ceasefire violations. "How else can the OSCE  Minsk Group or the international community act. Each time pointing to  Azerbaijan as an offender, and be sure that the initiator of  violations is Azerbaijan. Each time, pointing to Azerbaijan as the  initiator of violations, means to encourage the Armenian side to  respond more sternly to these actions or take more serious steps.  Quite frankly, I once in a semi-official atmosphere had a long  conversation with one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and  asked why you do not point to the violator's line. What he said to  me: "You know, pointing the line, there will be an impression that we  have sided with one of the conflicting countries. There will be an  impression that we are pursuing a pro-Armenian policy. And our goal  is to continue the negotiation process. " There is no alternative to  the peace process. An alternative to the peace process is war. What  is not desirable, including for us, and first of all for us, since  the life of each of our officers, soldiers is dear to us, "the  Armenian President stressed..

Sargsyan also assured that the Minsk mediators clearly know the side  of the initiator of tension. At the same time he added that the  mediators are not all-powerful. "Undoubtedly, if each of the  co-chairing countries of the MG wishes to impose something on  Azerbaijan, it will certainly be able, if this is the number one task  for his country. If it comes from the interests of one's own country.  But, in any case, you imagine that the US, Russia and France have  tried to impose their will on some country. There is one more  circumstance - what you impose is not always effective. Look at how  many hotbeds of conflict around the world, how terrorism spreads. The  powerful of this world are trying to deal with this, but not always  it is successful and in a short time. Therefore, the position of the  mediators who are trying to persuade, rather than rigidly impose, is  quite understandable here. Thirdly - the problem here is not that  intermediaries find out who has violated and declared this. When we  talk about the introduction of mechanisms, it's not just about  determining the level of the offender, but also investigating which  soldier and officer violated the ceasefire and which side, "said the  President of Armenia. According to Sargsyan, the Armenian side  demands the establishment of these mechanisms, and the Azerbaijani  side for obvious reasons does not take this step, which demonstrates  the obviousness that they are the initiators of tension on the  contact line.

The Armenian leader added that the Azerbaijani side has its  explanation of the reasons for refusing to introduce mechanisms,  which in particular is that "if the Armenian side does not make  concessions and if mechanisms are created, they will contribute to  the establishment of the status quo." According to him, this is the  position of Azerbaijan, so the process has stalled.

At the same time, Sargsyan believes that the only guarantee of not  spreading the processes even if there is a political solution is the  fighting efficiency of the army. The Armenian leader is convinced  that any political agreement will be confirmed in various  international structures, including the UN Security Council, where  there are many mechanisms, including imposing. "If there is a  political solution, our own armed forces plus a political solution  can bring peace to the region," Sargsyan summed up.

It should be noted that on July 4, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces  continuously shelled Karabakh positions from 60 and 82 mm mortars  throughout the day, in addition, they used Turkish missile systems  TR-107.  The NKR armed forces took counter-measures, as a result of  which two Azerbaijani civilians were killed, another one was injured.  This is due to the fact that the enemy's firing point was located in  the immediate vicinity of the settlement. The OSCE Minsk Group  co-chairs issued a statement urging the sides to stop fighting and  return to the negotiating table.