Karabakh Armenians: To leave or not to leave?
The answer is obvious

ANALYTICS  19 August 2022 - 12:37

The "either to leave or not to leave" question, which has already become almost a Shakespearean one, reached its climax. The foreign lobby of the neighboring country has done its best, painting everything in the most dramatic colors and playing a real black comedy. In fact, the Armenians of Karabakh (to clarify - we are not talking about the Armenians brought here from Lebanon and Syria) have now become hostages of the omnipresent pan-Armenian propaganda. Despite the fact that the sober heads clearly understand that the restoration of Azerbaijan's jurisdiction over the whole of Karabakh is the very chance to begin a new, secure life, which they have only dreamed of for more than thirty years.

Of course, Yerevan promises by word of mouth to shelter those Karabakh Armenians who want to move from Karabakh to Armenia. However, many Karabakh Armenians do not have high hopes of moving to Armenia. The situation there is such that even Pashinyan himself is unlikely to help the new residents. Moreover, there is a sad example of those who moved to Armenia during the 44-day war or immediately after it - they turned out to be a foreign element there labeled as sycophants. It should be understood that the problem is not with them, but with the poor economic situation in the whole of Armenia, and changes for the better are not expected in the near future. The ordinary citizens of Armenia, whose living standards have become frightening, do not hide the fact that they do not trust their elites, where revanchism is rife. The authorities don't think that many things can be fixed if they adopt a real policy of open borders and unblocked communications, rather than just play populism with these statements, which are very popular in Pashinyan's velvet cabinet now. The simulation of negotiations has reached yet another deadlock.

There is no hope for Russia either: if earlier Moscow was a certain alternative to a good life for the Armenians suffering from unemployment and poverty, now this option has been turned off as well. Russia does not care about Armenians now, it has to somehow provide its citizens with food and work. And the Armenian settlers in Karabakh can't count on Russia's help and so-called "protection". The Russian peacekeepers, on whom Armenians have literally "got used to relying" for any reason or without any reason, can not be counted on either. Now, the peacekeepers are not going to get into trouble for anyone. Because there is the Trilateral Statement of November 10, which Moscow doesn't consider necessary to violate anymore and to quarrel with Azerbaijan constantly on this issue, too. An eloquent example is Moscow's non-interference in the events around Farrukh and Sarybaba. Russia has clearly decided to put the brakes on its support for Armenians and, as the authors of a recent article in the Kommersant newspaper claim, "is no longer going to wipe Armenia's snot off." It's insulting but fair.

Isn't there an alternative? Of course, there is. Here it is, right in front of you, Karabakh Armenians. Stay and live in peace. And that's what the President of Azerbaijan himself has clearly called for. Let me remind you.

"Their rights will be protected just as the rights of the citizens of Azerbaijan, as the rights of the peoples living in Azerbaijan," Ilham Aliyev said. What can be simpler and clearer?

However, there is a fundamental difference: all of the Azerbaijani President's words, in contrast to the populism of the Yerevan authorities, are backed by deeds. Armenians know this very well, too. If they are promised that they will be taken care of like the citizens of Azerbaijan, then they will be. There will be jobs and social security. Simply because Azerbaijan has a much stronger and more solid economy, which is already focused on the fundamental improvement of life in Karabakh. Let's specify right away - the Armenians, who will live under the laws of Azerbaijan. And there will be jobs for everyone - Karabakh is waiting for and needs workers, and the number of ongoing projects is simply off the charts.

As for the issue of integration of Armenians into Azerbaijani society, which Armenians are so fond of speculating, it's actually simpler and there's no need to blow smoke without fire. Why, one may ask, haven't Armenians and Azerbaijanis ever lived amicably in the region? And maybe they would have lived until now, if not for the new policy of division of peoples for the dismemberment of the ill-fated USSR which was conceived once in Moscow.

During the construction of the road around Lachin, as the facts say, Azerbaijanis and Armenians communicated quite normally. There were no conflicts and disputes. By the way, the President of Azerbaijan also spoke about it. This sort of thing is really impressive. As eyewitnesses say, when one of our builders felt unwell while working, the Armenian doctor helped him. And the Azerbaijani workers willingly helped the Armenian family with household chores. The Armenians treated the Azerbaijani workers with tea and goodies. They thanked them, by the way, for the excellent, comfortable, high-quality road. And this is normal; it's not a fantasy.

Azerbaijan has a lot to offer to those who want to live in its land. These include good pensions, which are almost twice as high as those in Armenia, and the level and comfort of the entire infrastructure in our country - modern hospitals, schools, roads, and much more. To put it simply, the quality of life. And all this Azerbaijan is ready to provide without thinking about costs. It simply does not make sense to wait for that in Armenia.

But this is for those who want to live in peace and harmony with the other peoples of our country. Absolutely other, very harsh measures awaiting those who choose the path of terrorism and war. After all, we should not forget that in light of recent events, almost all strategic heights in the Karabakh region are already under the control of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. But there is always a choice - you just need to make it right, after thinking and weighing it up. Our country doesn't want war and hatred, Azerbaijan has made its choice - it's the peace and prosperity of the region. It's time to put an end to the confrontation and start building a new life - only a fool and a madman would not appreciate such a generous offer.

Caliber.Az