Flabbergasted by checkpoint in Lachin, Vardanyan keeps his show on
Futile attempt to startle Azerbaijan

ANALYTICS  28 April 2023 - 13:30

The day before Moscow's "envoy" Ruben Vardanyan was very busy. Judging by the vigorous tone of his Telegram post, he recovered from the shock after hearing about the checkpoint in Lachin established by Azerbaijan and began to stir. The nature and intensity of his statements testify to the feverish work of mind and body. He telegrams to Moscow, receives "Artsakh" delegates, addresses the people, and puts an ultimatum to the opponent...

Vardanyan's statements are preceded by the following words: "We had working meetings"; "The initiative group of Artsakh's youth has created and fixed an action plan"; "Working meetings have been held with political parties"; "Talks with the heads of Artsakh and the Artsakh Security Council took place...".

Thus, the uninformed person can have a false impression that the author of these statements has huge authority both among the Karabakh Armenians, and in the self-proclaimed authorities. But what does the sad-eyed billionaire have to say to us?

Leaving the details for the end, let us summarise in advance: the people of "Artsakh", on behalf of whom Vardanyan speaks, record Azerbaijan's breakdown of the agreements and condition free access to Armenia without any restrictions. "The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is informed about the position of the Artsakh people and political forces, it is also indicated that we expect concrete steps from them to unblock the corridor," the frustrated leader sends a message to Moscow, simultaneously making it clear that he cannot afford etiquette now. Times are tough.

If we dismiss as untenable the idea that Vardanyan has ceased to be a Kremlin "creature" and is acting at his own risk, then the following becomes clear: Moscow's aim is to slow down the process of the reintegration of the Karabakh Armenian community with Azerbaijan as much as possible and maintain a certain degree of tension in order to justify the need to extend the stay of its peacekeepers. Russia objectively can do nothing against Azerbaijan's opening of the checkpoint on its border. It remains to use Vardyanan-invented step for its own purposes i.e. to fuel tension. That is the basis of another performance of the retired oligarch.

Let's view the specific details of the statement. For example, this: "We are on our land, we are not going anywhere and we will not give it up". Let us leave the thesis: "We are on our land", in order not to get bogged down in ungrateful discussion. But we would like to dwell on "we will not go anywhere". No one is chasing Armenians out of Karabakh. It is known that a new round of hysteria emerged even before the checkpoint installation, after President Aliyev's statement that Karabakh Armenians have a choice - either to get an Azerbaijani passport or leave Azerbaijan. The Armenian agitprop launched a vigorous campaign, accusing Azerbaijan of threatening ethnic cleansing of Armenians.

We are simply shocked. Since when did demanding a passport become equal to harassment, and even "genocide"? Everywhere in the world, the refusal to issue a passport is considered oppression. Without an Azerbaijani passport, you are considered a criminal staying illegally in Azerbaijan. We want you to become citizens, and you want to stay criminals. Isn't it absurd?

Or here is another comical statement: "The corridor will not be used on such conditions from our side". So, Vardanyan really thinks that the installation of checkpoints on the border by Azerbaijan is some element of bargaining with Karabakh Armenians? God forbid, if you don't want to use checkpoints, it's up to you. Or is it that the images of the Karabakh people, devastated as a result of a mass hunger strike, will make the progressive world impose sanctions on Azerbaijan? Where is the logic? For 4 months you have been accusing Azerbaijan of some kind of blockade and lack of food, and now suddenly you say that you do not want to receive this food? It turns out that you've been receiving it all this time! Where is the blockade? Total nonsense.

The icing on the cake was: "We will do everything to protect our rights and dignity. If neither the RPC nor the international community is able to change anything, we reserve the right to act in the legitimate interests of our fellow citizens and by the peaceful and other means available to us".

I wonder what is meant here? Karabakh peasants will go to the Azerbaijani army with pitchforks? Or do they have weapons? If they have weapons, they are not peasants, but members of armed groups. By admitting the existence of armed groups, let alone any action by them, Vardanyan is thus confirming Armenia's violation of the Trilateral Statement. Any aggressive act by the remnants of the Armenian gangs against the Azerbaijani Armed Forces reveals a further violation of the points and provisions of the Statement and must be stopped by the peacekeepers. If the RPC does not respond to these acts, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces will take over the suppression of the bandit formations. And this will not be a violation of the Trilateral Statement, as according to the latter there should be no Armenian military on the territory of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The operation to disarm the Armenian military will thus be conducted not in violation but in fulfillment of the agreement of November 10, 2020.

Threatening Azerbaijan is a very bad idea. After all, we have been convinced more than once. Where is now former Armenian Defence Minister David Tonoyan with his doctrine "New War, New Territories"? Where has he put his doctrine? Where do you, Ruben Vardanyan, get the confidence that you, unlike Tonoyan, have the right to threaten Azerbaijan with impunity?

It is possible that Vardanyan was somewhat inspired by the appointment of General Lentsov as commander of the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent, especially by the fact that his wife is an ethnic Armenian. This is a very strange assumption. Lentsov is first of all a cadre officer and will act within his mandate, otherwise, Volkov's fate awaits him.

Azerbaijan is not determined to escalate the situation. Our citizens are already returning to Talysh, Lachin, and Sugovushan. Their security will be ensured at the highest level. If the Armenian side starts an escalation that threatens our civilians, retaliation will be proportionate.

However, we are confident that it will not come to this. Everything makes sense according to the logic outlined above. They are trying to "intimidate" Azerbaijan as much as possible in order to get the minimum. However, it is ridiculous who they use for "intimidation". The very fact that they couldn't find a serious person for this purpose raises doubts that the opponents of Karabakh's reintegration have effective leverage over the situation.

The "Vardanyan project" is turning into a sad clown show. Too much has been invested in this show, however, and it seems to have to go on. Neither do we mind enjoying the spectacle of the Armenian hypocrite from time to time. After all, none of this has anything to do with reality. Not only will Azerbaijan not budge from the functioning of the checkpoint, but it will establish customs control as well. This will be better for everyone.

Caliber.Az