Trend interviewed Defense Issues Assistant to Azerbaijani President, Lieutenant-General Vahid Aliyev on the Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Republic-June 26
Azerbaijan , Baku, June 26 / Trend P.Kesamanski/
Trend: First, I would like to congratulate you on the Day of the Armed Forces of the Azerbaijan Republic and wish you success in the service.
Aliyev: Thank you.
I would also like to convey my congratulations to officers and soldiers of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces - first of all the Supreme Commander and soldiers who are serving in the army in the most difficult circumstances, and all the Azerbaijani people on the occasion of this holiday and wish them success in their difficult, but honorable service, health, happiness and, of course, victory in the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Q.: How do you assess the current state of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces?
A.: Definitely very high.
Today's armed forces of Azerbaijan are not the same as they were in the early years of our independence. Then, if you remember, although the state had presidents, there was no Supreme Commander, because the armed forces were simply unmanageable. Only after National Leader Heydar Aliyev's returning to the power, he was able to establish a unity of command in the army, the building of the armed forces gained a scientific form and our troops began to gain the first victory within six months.
The present Azerbaijani Armed Forces meet the modern requirements of tactics and strategy of warfare.
This is primarily moral and psychological mood of the armed forces, its professionalism, and equipment with the most modern types of military technique, weapons and ammunition.
Azerbaijan has the most combat-capable armed forces in the region and it can perform all tasks set fore it. This is, first of all, the liberation of the occupied territories and the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan's military budget increased has increased by 13 times over the past seven years and now the figure is about 2.2 billion manat, enabling us to supply our armed forces with the latest technology and weaponry.
The country established the Defense Industry Ministry, which is engaged in research and production of weapons and ammunition needed for our armed forces.
In addition to the Defense Ministry's Units, the country has a strongly developed State Border Service, the Interior Ministry's Interior Troops and the Emergency Situations Ministry's Civil Defense Service that demonstrated their readiness during the natural disaster-related flooding in lowland areas of the country, which, fortunately and of course, with their assistance, pass without casualties.
I would like to note that the current state of our armed forces mostly is the result of the fact that they are under the constant supervision of Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev. President Aliyev cares about the soldiers, their military training, logistical support and strengthening of their social protection. Supreme Commander Aliyev's participation in the most recent joint large-scale battle exercises of units and formations of the Defense Ministry, State Frontier Service and Interior Troops, which essentially was their report - successful report to the President and the Azerbaijani people for another year of their progress, once again proved the correctness of the path and methods that selected to develop our armed forces.
Q.: Azerbaijan is in the war state, as it is evidenced by reports from the frontline of the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops. Last week is remembered with the activity on the frontlines and fatalities. What is the reason for this activity?
A: We have always stated that the combat operations have not been frozen, the war was not stopped and there is only a ceasefire regime. The hostilities can resume at any moment. The status quo is not satisfactory. Why? Because, we have a million refugees and 20 percent of our territory is under occupation. Because, this greatly hampers both development of Azerbaijan and development of the entire region. Because, the State is responsible for its citizens, who are deprived motherland. Because, Armenia prolongs the current situation senselessly. Because, the Armenian side follows the ceasefire regime only in words, but makes provocations frequently and we are obliged to reply. And every time our responses are adequate, although we are able to give a more severe reaction.
But we still adhere to the peace negotiations, as the diplomatic resource has not yet been exhausted. However, this can not last forever. There were no results for about 20 years because the Armenian side holds unconstructive position for many years.
If any sensible person was asked how to solve a big problem, he will reply that a big problem should be divided into smaller problems and then solved, so that to solve the very big problem. And this is correct, and it is scientific mode. But what does Armenia answer to the same question? They offer to solve everything at once. This is at least funny.
At the same time, they offer to cooperate as it oddly enough for a reasonable person. Can one cooperate under the gunpoint or more caliber weapons? Can one lay infrastructure or trade, sow, plow and drive to relax under fire? The answer is obvious - no. The troops should be withdrawn at least to cooperate and thereby create an atmosphere of minimal trust. The problem should be solved step by step, but not immediately. The Armenian government's proposals are originally a deadlock and unacceptable option. Solution to the conflict is logically reflected in the updated Madrid principles proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group.
The current situation of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh is like the old anecdote about the hunter, who caught a bear. Once a hunter caught the bear and did not have what to do with it ... it is impossible to keep it and terribly to release. The Armenians cannot bear such a burden, which is the war, economically, psychologically or morally.
Q.: But Armenia claims that Azerbaijan and Turkey have blockaded it?
A.: One may claim anything he wants. What more you are wrong, more you look for reasons in others.
Those, who listen to this tale, must simply look at a map and see with a "surprise" that this is Armenia who occupies another country's territory and cut itself off all of those communications, which could pass through Armenia. That is, Armenia has driven itself to the blockade. It is a paradox - to drive itself to the blockade and even not involuntarily, but violently, then accuse us that we keep them in the blockade?
Their appeals to Turkey that they closed the border are at least disingenuous. For this, being in Turkey one should look at cars with Armenian numbers at least (which I personally observed), or listen to the Armenians themselves, who speak about the Turkish trucks carrying the Turkish goods to Armenia. The fact is that Turkey is only symbolically closed the border - the Armenians and the Turks cross the border freely. There is an air communication between Yerevan and Istanbul, incidentally, opened by Turkey. Where is the embargo?
The current Armenian government cannot recognize that Armenia has deprived its people of great economic, energy, transport and other projects with its short-sighted policy and that will very detrimental to its development. Armenia does not exist de facto as independent state. The country's wealth has been distributed for debt and its moral values are in the hands of the diaspora. The Armenian leadership has brought itself to a standstill and the situation will be even worse. Armenia temporarily captured 20 percent of the Azerbaijani territory, but has lost its future and its progress. The sooner they will realize that they must return what does not belong them, the sooner they will get out of the impasse into which they led themselves and their people, and the faster they will solve their problems.
Q.: Are the Azerbaijani Armed Forces ready to solve every military tasks set for them in case hostilities are restored?
A.: The Azerbaijani people do not want war, but we must always be ready for it. This war is forced upon us, and it was imposed by the Armenian aggressors.
I would like to tell the history of this issue on three main points.
First, today's Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh are historical Azerbaijani lands. If we take the maps of the last century and earlier, names of all areas and settlements are of Azerbaijani origin. As a result of the Russian-Persian and Russian-Turkish wars in the beginning of 19th century many Armenians, who are not native and indigenous to the Caucasus, were deported from the Middle East (Eastern Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq) to the current Armenia, which was Irevan Khanate of Azerbaijan. So, at least half a million people were resided in today's Armenia from 1813 until the present day, for 200 years. Moreover, the Armenians were also settled in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenians themselves have erected a monument to the 150th anniversary of the resettlement of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, which they themselves have destroyed not to leave evidence that the Armenians came to this territory. Whom do they cheat? Of course, themselves.
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic had an area of 114,000 square kilometers, but the Bolshevik Russia gave the Zangezur region and part of the territory of Goycha and Zangibasar regions to the newly established Armenian state. In this regard, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was torn away from the total territory of Azerbaijan. In addition, since the creation of the Soviet Union the Azerbaijani population has been deported from Western Azerbaijan (today's Armenia) for a complete change in the demographic picture in 1918. The mass deportation of Azerbaijanis ended with apotheosis after an undeclared war against Azerbaijan in 1988. The Armenians did absolutely ethnic cleansing, and now no person of Azerbaijani ethnicity lives either in Armenia or in the occupied territories. The Armenians have created mono-national state in Armenia. No one except Armenians lives in Armenia. What is it if it is not an absolute intolerance of all non-Armenian? There is no other such nationalist regime in the world, which would lead to such results - the absence of national minorities.
Second, our rightness is supported by the international law. No country has recognized the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. No country justifies the aggression - occupation of Azerbaijani territory. The U.N. Security Council adopted four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories, but Armenia has not yet implemented them. Finally, the international law provides us proper basis to restore our borders.
Third, it is our moral right to restore the territorial integrity.
That is, the three key aspects - the historical truth, international and moral right - give us reason to liberate our territory.
The Azerbaijani armed forces will perform all tasks set for them if the hostilities resume and will inflict a crushing defeat on the enemy. The Armenian leadership will bring a military defeat to its people in addition to the casualties, which it already brought to his people. Let them ponder - do they need it?
There are also other important issues. Many hope that the global community allegedly will not allow us to fight, etc., but listen, the world community, if is not silent, then at least does nothing to address those effects, which we ALREADY faced today, this is complete ethnic cleansing of civilians and genocide against Azerbaijanis. So, what can the world community say us? And this is despite the fact that, unlike Armenia, we are not going to fight with civilians for one very simple reason - there is simply no civilian population in the territories under Armenian occupation by Armenians. We will fight only with the Armenian Armed Forces and we have an absolute right to return them to whence they came. I am sure that we will be able to find a common language and will not fight with our citizens of Armenian nationality until our troops reach current settlements in the mountainous part of Karabakh, for example, the Khankendi city.
The people and history demands us to return the lands. If the aggressor is not stopped, then ... you see, how the Armenian media have launched debating the issue of Nakhchivan? Armenians are so much in the euphoria of their impunity for Karabakh campaign that already have the appetite to Nakhchivan. But they should know that Nakhchivan is impregnable fortress. The armed forces in this region are supplied with everything necessary to give a fitting rebuff in case of aggression and if desired and the relevant order is given - not only rebuff.
Q.: Begs the question - why we do not bring back what belongs to us by right?
A.: Because the diplomatic options have not yet exhausted. Everybody understands what war is. And, moreover - our Supreme Commander, President - Creator - wants and takes his utmost for the development, prosperity and progress of Azerbaijan and the entire region. War implies something more - blood, tears and destruction. This is the only and only reason not to resume the hostilities on our part and our principled position is to continue negotiations.
War is a loss from both sides, but we have taken all measures to minimize fatalities in modern combat. Many of the operations that were previously performed by personnel are now performed by using modern technology, which reduces the loss of human life.
I repeat we do not want to perish our youth and see tears in mothers' eyes. We have seen these in the first war. But the occupation and the talks cannot go on forever. There is hope that Armenia understands this and mindless delay in the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh territory will come to an end in the near future.
Q.: Armenia has its own vision of history, which must be mixed with so-called "genocide" of Armenians and stories about "Great Armenia"...
A.: What to say to these people who cheat their own population? Neither today's Turkey nor the Ottoman had a goal to destroy the Armenians ethnically just because they were Armenians. Moreover, Turkey had ministers of the Armenian nationality. Historical truth is that Armenians lived in the Ottoman Empire nearly 600 years, and no Armenian suffered there. There are also many Armenians now in Turkey. Law-abiding citizens will live and prosper. But, the Armenian population living in eastern Turkey, armed themselves at the expense of tsarist Russia and France, and took the side of the opponents of Turkey in the early last century when Turkey was attacked by outside forces. The Turkish citizens of Armenian nationality formed the Armenian regular units and fought against Turkey to seize the country's eastern part to establish an Armenian state. They did not achieve anything. They achieved an Armenian state after the Bolshevik Revolution and the formation of the Soviet Union already in the Caucasus. The question of "genocide" - is a myth that Armenians want to impose on the world. The objective of this myth is territorial claims to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The second myth is the so-called Greater Armenia. History shows that the Middle East fixed many wars, but no Armenian state, which would counter the great generals of those times, was recorded in the history. This suggests that there was not an Armenian statehood. Persians, Caucasians, Indians, Arabs and Turks fought there, but Armenians never fought with anyone. They have always been a part of this or that state.
Moreover, even assuming that there was a "Greater Armenia", what dividends it gives to Armenia? It is time for ideologues Armenians to understand that it is the 21st century and people should go forward, not backward. What is "Greater Armenia"? It is difficult to imagine what would happen if the Turkish, Russian, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and other imperial nations remember their history, not only in the textbooks, but also begin to implement ... do not even want to think, what would happen if the Mongols remember about the time of Genghis Khan.
Q.: And what about the right of self-determination of nations plaid up by them?
A.: Where have you heard of such a nation, as Karabakhs?
Q.: May they be called a nation?
A: No, it is impossible. There cannot be a notion as the people of Karabakh, as it cannot be the people of Kurdamir or any other region. There lived population, and not just Armenians.
And then - how long one can crush people with this right of self-determination? The Armenian community of Karabakh appeals for self-determination, those Azerbaijanis, who were living there, in their turn, asked their self-determination. In this case one can get self-determination in every square meter of house ...
The Armenian people, the Armenian nation has gained self-determination. It has Armenian state - the Republic of Armenia. It does not mean that in the entire world, where Armenians live, they should demand independence or autonomy. We can guarantee absolute security of those Armenians who want to live in Azerbaijan.
Q: Let's back to the establishment of the Armed Forces. What steps are being taken to ensure the army with modern weapons?
A.: First, we have strengthened the air force and air defense forces. Our air borders are secured by modern combat aircrafts and helicopters with modern weapons, radars, missiles, which give us absolute air superiority.
The artillery, armored forces are also equipped in modern state and we give a special attention to the development of the Navy. The country updated small arms, trained the ordinary and the officers' personal, transited to the NATO training system and replicated the experience of local wars. All this allows us to say that our armed forces are the most capable and combat-ready forces in the region. Azerbaijan has all what is now required to conduct a successful war.
Q.: What work is carried out for the domestic production of military equipment?
A.: Azerbaijan will produce missiles, shells and modern armored vehicles and upgrade existing ones, as well as produce unmanned aerial vehicles, small arms and other. The relevant enterprises have already been opened in Baku and regions. Much has already been done, but the plans, as well as the desire and capacity to implement them even more.
Q.: How do you see the cooperation with NATO?
A.: Azerbaijan cooperates with NATO within the "Partnership for Peace" program and participates in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, Iraq and now in Afghanistan. That is, Azerbaijan carries out its obligations.
We also adopted the NATO Individual Plan of Action and Partnership (IPAP), participate in planning and analysis program (PARP) and of course participate in all activities of NATO as allies.
Q.: What is your personal attitude to a professional army?
A.: Sooner or later we will come to this. Azerbaijan is obliged to keep a large number of armed forces, because its territory is occupied. I think that after the restoration of the territorial integrity of our country, we will reduce the armed forces and fully transit to the professional army.
Q.: Are there many in Azerbaijan wishing to study in military schools? How do you assess the military and the patriotic spirit of soldiers and young people?
A.: We are glad to say that the competition among the candidates for entry to the Jamshid Nakhchivanski Lyceum, Heydar Aliyev Lyceum and higher military educational institutions increases from year to year. Young people tuned up patriotic, the youth want to serve and men want to become professional soldiers.
What cannot be said about Armenia. We know that they have big problems with a call to active military service and with access to higher military schools, because they realize they fight in unjust war.
The military-patriotic education begins at home and in school. We have this and the Azerbaijani youth are ready to defend their homeland. Young people ready to fight and long to a fight. Is this good or bad - is another matter, but it is the fact that our enemy does not leave us a choice. The most amazing thing is that they have enough impudence to accuse us of Armenophobia. You openly occupied territory, committed a complete ethnic cleansing of civilians and genocide, and today you brazenly refuse to return them and ask for good relations? Well, you know ... We can only explain that we do not have Armenophobia, we have an objective response to what the separatist gangs and armed forces of Armenia did and continue to do.
Q.: The last question is what is your prediction on future development of the situation in the region?
A.: Can you imagine what would be the present of our region if there would not be occupation, refugees and our current military expenses? Not only Azerbaijan and its integral part - Nagorno-Karabakh, but also Armenia would live now in prosperity, happiness and look at the future with more optimism. Unfortunately, Armenia deprived of this opportunity Karabakh and itself at the moment. How long will this continue? How long are the people of Karabakh and Armenia ready for suffering it?
We will return our land. Let nobody doubt in this. By any way!
Only when our lands are returned, our citizens of Armenian nationality will gain freedom, and hope for bright future. We wish this.
We have developed. We are developing and will develop to the benefit of the Azerbaijani people.
Thanks for the interview, happy holiday!