“Our capacity to retaliate
must be, and is, massive in order
to deter all forms of aggression.”
John Foster Dulles
Z. S. ANDREW DEMIRDJIAN
Unprovoked, on September 27, 2020, Azerbaijani forces launched air- and missile-attacks along the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) border. Emboldened
by being backed by Turkey, the aggression also targeted Vardenis, a town in the Republic of Armenia. In other words, Azerbaijani forces began bombarding and shelling Armenia proper as well as Artsakh border towns, cities, including the capital city of Artsakh (Stepanakert).
The criminal attacks on civilians of Stepanakert, and towns across the Armenian border, testify to the genocidal intent of Azerbaijan and Turkey towards the Armenian nation. While Armenian soldiers are bravely defending the homeland, they definitely can use international assistance and, especially rescue response from CSOT (Collective Security Organization Treaty).
CSOT, a Moscow-led organization, akin to NATO, was established in 2002 as a security alliance of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The main mission of the union is to come to the rescue of the member subjected to aggression from external forces. It is very simple: Azerbaijan and Turkey are the “external aggressors” against Armenia
and Artsakh; therefore, CSOT should intervene in and on behalf of Armenia.
The Republic of Armenia is facing the deadly aggression of Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, when will the CSOT come to the rescue of its member? Azerbaijan is committing the “Crime of Aggression.” Not only is the aggression against the Armenian forces, but also against the innocent
civilians of both Armenia and Artsakh.
As an example of ongoing bombardment of Armenia itself, on the fifth day
of the conflict Azerbaijan has launched four (4) Israeli-made drones to attack Armenia. The drones aimed Armenia’s province (marz) of Kotayk and dropped bombs on the Abovian city, which is a mere 18 miles north of Yerevan. One woman was killed and the inhabitants of this city were savagely shaken.
While it is gratifying to hear that the Armenian force has made inroads in the Armenian Shamumian district under Azerbaijani control now, we need to get all the help we can muster since Azerbaijan has been deploying Syrian Jihadist soldiers against us. God knows how many mercenaries are serving in the Azeri forces.
While the Armenian civilians are being displaced, crammed in shelters, scared of Azerbaijani brutality, CSOT slumbers. Is CSOT waiting to help with the funeral of so many citizens of one of its members, sacrificed by inhumane acts of Azerbaijan? Or is it that a crime of aggression is not a sufficient cause to flex the muscles of CSOT?
Let us briefly review what constitutes a crime of aggression: “A crime of aggression is a specific type of crime where a person [i.e., Ilham Aliyev] plans, initiates, or executes an act of aggression using state military force that violates the Charter of the United Nations. The act is judged as a violation based on its character, gravity, and scale.”
Examples of acts of aggression include invasion, military occupation, and annexation by the use of force, bombardment, and military blockade of ports. As a result, the crime of aggression is a crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
What else does CSOT need to have before they move into action to protect one of their beleaguered and badgered members despite the fact that our brave soldiers are defending our homeland quite well? However, one Armenian solider saved is worth all the gold in the world.
The officials of Armenia may be too proud to ask for help from CSOT. The Armenian Diaspora should write to MP Vladimir Putin to fulfill the provisions of the CSOT collective agreement. Perhaps, the readers of the USA Armenian Life Magazine jointly sign a request to MP Vladimir Putin to act soon before the aggression against Armenia and Artsakh causes further civilian casualties. Mr. Appo Jabarian is the man to organize for such a letter to be signed by most of his readers — for he is known to go the extra mile for the benefit of the Armenian nation.
In addition to financial assistance, the Armenian Diaspora needs to make a huge effort to enlist the help of the Collective Security Organization Treat alliance to help Armenia and Artsakh during these difficult times when our soldiers are defending a wide border of Armenia and Artsakh against Azerbaijani violence and offensive.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Z. S. Andrew Demirdjian is the author of many important books and numerous scholarly works. He devotes a lot of his time to writing on Armenian pressing issues. He is a professor emeritus of social and behavioral sciences at the California State University, Long Beach.
Dr. Z. S. Andrew Demirdjian’s research interests lie in social and behavioral sciences. During his academic career, he has published 100s of articles and editorials in refereed journals and has received over 35 best paper/author awards for his research studies. Dr. Demirdjian is more than a topnotch scholar, he has an extensive track record in consulting various profit and not-for-profit organizations spanning over twenty-five years.