Armenian-American journalist’s anti-Azerbaijan hysteric A “never-lying” journalist’s ridiculous lies

The Armenia-funded anti-Azerbaijan campaign had one more “impartial journalist” on board to fan the flames of false chronicle of “ethnic cleansing” claims against the country that long suffered the Armenian aggression reflected well in occupation, ethnic cleansing, vandalism, and other forms of inhumane records.

Nicholas Kristof, a New York Times opinion columnist, joined the ridiculous campaign to discredit Azerbaijan by putting so-called “ethnic cleansing” allegations under a spotlight in his article last week.

“One of the principles of journalism is you don't lie. You never lie,” reads the headline of an introductory article about Kristof above a smiling photo of him.

“You never lie”. Sounds quite good and professional for a person who boasts as a journalist free of emotions and bias in his opinions even if it is about a topic nestled in his individual sympathy. But Kristof could not hide in his recent opinion piece the hysteric that obsessed him alongside his other fellows lured by the myths invented by Armenians.

The New York Times author is convinced that the authorities of Azerbaijan have been orchestrating a year-long “crisis” in the Garabagh region to stimulate a “genocide” against the region’s Armenian minority. His reference is a so-called “report” by an Argentinian lawyer - an old friend of the Armenian authorities and an apparent offshore money launderer Louis Moreno Ocampo.

Speaking in Ocampo’s language, Kristof argues that the intention of Azerbaijan by “closing” the Lachin road, thus “blockading” Garabagh is to force the Armenian-origin people in the region either to “die” or to “flee”. To back up his allegations, he puts also an excerpt from a recent BBC article about the bogus “starvation” in Garabagh.

One may think that a journalist may not always manage to delve into multiple sources before writing a piece, be it an opinion. One-sided reporting is not welcomed as a serious product. It is called “biased” among those involved in mass media. Even if you sympathise with a particular side in your article, it should not prevent you from placing facts, and arguments from the opposite sides. That’s how it works actually.

Seemingly, Kristof’s admiration of Armenia and Armenians has blindfolded him to take a 360-degree look at the events. We will help him follow the guidelines of journalism in his next works.

Armenian-American journalism

Kristof to some extent reflects a common portrait of fanatic Europeans or Americans who heed calls from thousands of kilometres away. Their common approach seems to be impartial affected by the events that tremble their senses to come up with comments or even demands. We can see it, particularly in the cases related to Armenians. From Argentina to the USA, France, India and beyond, they ardently trumpet the noise made by this small South Caucasus nation, as well as their diaspora and foreign supporters.

However, going deep into the motives of their alignment with Armenian cases exposes various moments that cast a big shadow on their impartiality.

Nicholas Kristof can make an impeccable example of how such persons are encouraged to lobby Armenian myths for their own benefit and interests.

Passionate smearing against Azerbaijan by false arguments in Kristof’s recent opinion for the New York Times despite the goodwill demonstrated by Baku could be traced in his ethnic identity. Kristof publicly boasts his Armenian identity. For instance, in a photo from 2019 where he stands side by side with Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, he admits to his Armenian roots, disclosing that his family’s original name was Hachikian. According to him, his father Ladis Kristof, an ethnic Armenian from the Carpathian region of Europe, created Kristof out of Krzysztofowicz, which was a Polonized version of Hachikian - “a good Armenian name”.

Meanwhile, back in 2021, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the largest Armenian diaspora organisation, promoted Kristof’s candidacy for governor’s office in the state of Oregon. ANCA introduced him as a person of “Armenian heritage”.

Let’s again recall Kristof’s words: “One of the principles of journalism is you don't lie. You never lie.” Yes, a journalist never lies unlike Kristof, who is guided by a hatred toward Azerbaijan nestled in his roots. In other words, a person driven by emotions cannot stick to the principles of his job …

“Starvation” & rejection of food

First, kindly be informed that approximately 25,000 Armenians reside in certain parts of the Garabagh region, under the supervision of a temporary Russian peacekeeping mission. Reports about “120,000” Armenians are nothing but fabrications by Armenians to look pathetic.

So, let’s begin with the latest developments. Currently, two lorries carrying 40 tonnes of food products are stuck in the Aghdam region of Azerbaijan although it should go to Khankendi, a city populated by ethnic Armenians in Garabagh. The cargo was dispatched by the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society on August 29 to meet the needs of the region’s Armenian population. However, it has been a week that they are standstill on the Aghdam-Khankendi road near a post of the temporary Russian peacekeeping mission.

Namely the Armenian residents of Garabagh have been blocking their way into the region. They took to the road on August 30 to protest against the entry of the cargo into Garabagh.  

Shortly after the victorious 44-day war with Armenia in 2020, the government of Azerbaijan expressed its readiness to reintegrate Armenian residents into Azerbaijani society in line with the Constitution and laws of Azerbaijan.

To facilitate the process, on March 1, 2023, Azerbaijani officials met with representatives of Armenians residing in the Karabakh region, engaging in preliminary discussions regarding their reintegration into Azerbaijani society. In late March, Azerbaijani authorities extended an invitation to the representatives of Karabakh Armenians for a second meeting. However, it was turned down by a faction of separatists who attempted to sabotage the process, seeking a self-proclaimed status for the region’s Armenian residents and demanding independence from Azerbaijan.

The meeting with the representatives of Garabagh Armenians aimed also to convince them to stop arms supplies through the Lachin highway and dirt roads around it. The Lachin road was extensively used for the shipment of weapons and manpower from Armenia to Karabakh despite multiple warnings by Baku. In early March, an armed skirmish took place between the smugglers and members of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces, causing the deaths of two Azerbaijani servicemen.

The unresponsiveness of the Karabakh Armenians led Azerbaijan to install a checkpoint at the entrance to the Lachin road in April. Baku’s decision aimed at ensuring full control over the road, while allowing a free humanitarian movement through it. Currently, the checkpoint is used by Armenians for crossing into Azerbaijan and Armenia after having their documents checked. No hindrance is being observed to people’s movement on the Lachin road.

In the meantime, although there are reports of “starvation” among the Armenians in Garabagh, they are sharing daily photos from restaurant menus almost on a daily basis. Pizzas, burgers, salads, pasta, drinks, parties, music, dance … This is seemingly how they realize the “starvation” …