Futile efforts of Armenian self-delusion

Over the past ten days, Armenia has been hysterically calling on almost the whole world to "assist in unblocking" the Lachin road, spreading at various levels another bluff about the "humanitarian crisis for 120 thousand Armenians" of Karabakh, who appeared on the territory of Azerbaijan as if by a wave of an Armenian magic wand.

Not only the senates of Uruguay and France, the UN but also the European Conference of Churches and the World Council of Churches are eager to solace Armenians, which is not surprising. Given the phenomenal ability of Armenians to look like "victims" in any critical situation, it is very likely that the list of those willing to join the "act of mercy" in support of the "long-suffering" will gradually expand.

Now, briefly about the content of these statements. The Armenian media informs that the joint letter of the European Conference of Churches and the World Council of Churches addressed to EU Minister of Foreign Affairs Borrell states that the "blockade" of "Armenian Artsakh" by Azerbaijan is regarded as a "violation of the tripartite statement, international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of morality". Among other things, the EU is urged "to take diplomatic steps to open the Lachin corridor and provide Azerbaijan with appropriate guarantees that it will remain open". But that is not all. The letter calls for expanding the mandate of the EU observer mission, but now on the Lachin road.

"We call on the EU to take diplomatic steps for Azerbaijan to reopen the Lachin corridor and provide appropriate guarantees that it will remain open. We also call to expand the mandate of the EU observer mission to include the Lachin corridor," the statement says.

Roughly speaking, Armenians and their wellwishers dream that the EU mission, which used to be on the territory of Armenia, will now control the Lachin corridor as well. And this is absurd, which is generally confirmed by the recent statement of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Georgian crisis, Toivo Klaar, posted on Twitter last week. It says that a video has been circulated online showing a patrol of the European Union (EU) civilian mission monitoring the road leading to the Lachin corridor. At the same time, Claar notes: "The patrol was at a checkpoint about 1.2 kilometers from the Azerbaijani-Armenian border at the time. The mission operated in accordance with its mandate only on Armenian territory and did not enter the corridor". Given Baku's firm stance on the EU mission, as well as Klaar's statement, it can be argued that Armenian efforts to push their interests through the European Conference of Churches and the World Council of Churches will not yield the expected results. That's the first thing.

Secondly, the following nuance is noteworthy. The letter notes that "in these circumstances, the fears of Armenians about the resumption of genocide against them cannot be ignored, and with the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, these fears are significantly deepened". That is, the two "authoritative" structures, waking up from the prolonged lethargic sleep in which they were staying during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, suddenly remembered "the high principles of morality" when it came to the Armenians. As we can see, this fact doesn't need any comments or analysis, and it is a demonstration of the favorite double standards of organizations that work off solid financial investments of the Armenian Diaspora abroad.

In the same way, working out the financial injections of the Armenian diaspora, statements about the "security of Artsakh" addressed to President Biden are being made in the American Congress. Adam Schiff, a member of the House of Representatives known for his ardent pro-Armenian position, made such calls on December 20, calling on President Joe Biden to help "ensure the security of Artsakh."

Uruguay and Armenia's "sister" France, who also voiced anti-Azerbaijani statements, were not immune to the "pan-Armenian lament". For example, French senator Valerie Boyer, known for her pro-Armenian sentiments, urged the French President "to intervene in the situation in Artsakh, cut off from Armenia and the world, because of the blocking of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijanis".

"In the name of our values for which we defend Ukraine, we must save Armenians!" Boyer wrote on her Facebook page.

Curiously, the hype around the situation on the Lachin road, which Armenia is making a fuss over using all sorts of methods to influence the world, has also reached neighboring Iran and faraway China. Thus, the official representative of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Naser Kanaani, in an interview with ISNA news agency, expressed hope for "an expeditious resolution of the Lachin corridor issue through dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

"Iran has always emphasized the peaceful resolution of disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The full implementation of the terms of the trilateral ceasefire statement can put an end to the differences between the two countries," he said, adding that establishing peace and stability in the region requires the elimination of unnecessary tensions.

Such a remark from the Iranian side is particularly noteworthy if we recall how relatively recently it was Tehran that promoted tension on the border with Azerbaijan, without having any significant reason for that. However, it is necessary to agree that the reminder of the Iranian side about the implementation of the conditions of the Trilateral statement on the cease-fire of November 10, 2020, is appropriate exactly concerning Armenia which breaks its obligations. This is for Yerevan's information.

As for the Chinese side's reaction to the situation on the Lachin road and its "humanitarian consequences," voiced the previous day by China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, it is declarative in nature, whatever illusions the Armenian side may harbor. Judging by the Armenian media reports about Shuang's statements, Yerevan naively relies on Beijing's unilateral approach in favor of Armenian interests. But it is well known that China pursues a neutral policy in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and limits itself to calling both Baku and Yerevan to settle their relations. And this particular statement by Shuang says that the situation on Lachin road should be resolved through dialogue and consultations. And no more than that. Because China is not Uruguay or France. So it is high time for Yerevan to heed the adequate calls of a neutral state.