BY APPO JABARIAN
Executive Publisher / Managing Editor
USA Armenian Life Magazine (English-language print edition)
USA Armenian Life E-Newsletter (Electronic Distribution — e-blast)
Hye Kiank Armenian Weekly (Armenian-language print edition)
USA Armenian LifeFACEBOOK
www.armenianlif.com
Soon after the signing of the Nov. 9 statement by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, Lt. General Armen Zalinyan of Armenia, a Juris Doctor, has initiated an important Petition addressed to the international bodies and most importantly to The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Russia, United States, and France.
The petition effectively declares Null, Void and Invalid the points 2,6,7 and 9 of the Nov. 9 statement signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia.
In his capacity as the main initiator of the petition, he has been in contact with the Minsk Co-Chairs’ offices.
Several Armenian worldwide joined Lt. Gen. Zalinyan in signing the petition.
Supporters of Lt. Gen. Zalinyan’s petition stated: “By rejecting the points 2, 6, 7, 9 we can make a timely effort to reverse the highly adverse conditions as set in 2, 6, 7, 9. By doing so, we’re creating a better bargaining position as the statement was signed under the Azerbaijani-Turkish gun. THE NOV. 9 STATEMENT WAS SIGNED UNDER DURESS.”
As per point no. 2, “The Aghdam region and the territories held by the Armenian Party in the Gazakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall be returned to the Azerbaijan Party until November 20, 2020.”
Not only the Aghdam region is a vital buffer zone but it is also a major bargaining chip. As of Nov 9, 70% of Aghdam and the territories was under Armenian control. To give them up just like that? I would say a worldwide opposition by World Armenians would help consolidate Armenians’ bargaining position.
As per point no. 6, “The Republic of Armenia will return the Kelbajar region to the Republic of Azerbaijan by November 15, 2020, and the Lachin region by December 1, 2020, leaving behind the Lachin corridor (5 km wide), which will ensure the connection of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia and at the same time not will affect the city of Shusha. By agreement of the Parties, in the next three years, a plan for the construction of a new traffic route along the Lachin corridor, providing communication between Stepanakert and Armenia, with the subsequent redeployment of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to protect this route will be determined. The Republic of Azerbaijan guarantees traffic safety along the Lachin corridor of citizens, vehicles and goods in both directions.”
Now that the Russians are in and there is a no-fly zone over Artsakh, Turkey and Azerbaijan are angry that the Russians are not allowing them to move into Kelbajar. Russia has also refused to give Turkish ‘peacekeeping forces access into Shushi and Stepanakert.
Signing the petition declaring the point 6 invalid will give Armenia the political cover is needs NOT TO ABIDE by the Statement’s deadline of Nov. 15 to return “the Kelbajar region to the Republic of Azerbaijan by November 15, 2020, and the Lachin region by December 1, 2020,” while keeping the city of Shusha under exclusive Russian control.
As per point no. 7. “Internally displaced persons and refugees are returning to the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent areas under the control of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.”
Full implementation of the point 7 will mean that hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani Turks will be allowed to move into all over Artsakh which will be a demographic shift in favor of Turks. We can not afford this to happen at all costs.
As per point no. 9, “All economic and transport links in the region are unblocked. The Republic of Armenia provides transport links between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic in order to organize the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles and goods in both directions. Control over transport communication is carried out by the bodies of the Border Guard Service of the FSB of Russia. By agreement of the Parties, the construction of new transport communications linking the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic with the western regions of Azerbaijan will be provided.”
By unblocking the Meghri corridor, and by providing “transport links between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic in order to organize the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles and goods in both directions” Armenia will be effectively giving up its sovereignty in the southern corridor and will be contributing to opening Pan-Turkic Highway to Hell. The implementation of No. 9 will foster the creation of Pan-Turkic Empire that Ankara and Baku have been dreaming of for a long time. THIS MUST BE REJECTED. FOR NOW IT’S IN ARMENIA’S FAVOR TO DENY ANY KIND OF ACCESS TO TURKS. THIS HAS TO BE RECONFIGURED.
A QUESTION OR A CONCERN EXPRESSED BY A FRIEND: “It is said that this agreement does not interfere with the OSCE process because it does not deal with the long-term status of Artsakh or the process of normalization of relationships. Situationally we were in an active war scenario, does OSCE have established Governance protocol to deal with situations of war? Does it default to the UN. International law regarding “forbidding annexation and territorial conquest by war” as you know this is our challenge, if UN accepted our self determination, we would be able to refuse the lands, but UN sees the lands as part of Azeri territory so this agreement may stand firm. But in saying that it is Also worth noting, effectively by virtue of their war action the Azeri side said they are no longer working with OSCE.”
My response: By signing the petition, the Armenian party is giving the OSCE Minsk Group a golden opportunity to retake their position and original mission.
Will they grab the opportunity? We don’t know. If they don’t take the opportunity to retake control of the process, then they should not complain if Russia fulfills its fiduciary duty and manages the situation on its own, which is acceptable by the Armenians. Now that the Russians are in and there is a no-fly zone over Artsakh, Turkey and Azerbaijan are angry that the Russians are not allowing them to move into Kelbajar. Russia has also refused to give Turkish ‘peacekeeping forces access into Shushi and Stepanakert.
A QUESTION OR A CONCERN EXPRESSED BY A FRIEND: “Even if we negate the conditions of 2,6,7,9 what says that Turkey and Azeri will agree or abide. They are after all driven by their mission and a military solution to everything. Of Course changing land terms cannot be viewed exclusively without considering the bigger picture, Armenia goals or sub activities and intentions that are working towards a potentially better change (eg Russia’s military involvement and its inclination towards future action and its interest, Meaning Russia would need to recognize Artsakh independence if it is to stay there, other what if scenarios such as war reinstating, or even what this means in terms of bargaining tool for the dream of Kars treaty etc. ) In addition, what it means for the future status of the co chairs of the Minsk group if they do get involved and recognize the status of Artsakh, what this would mean for eligibility to be part the group or to even exist. By all means If there are loopholes in the agreement that we can take advantage of to create situations and scenarios, where we don’t have to give away lands, where we can combine elements of tactical or strategic action to align towards the bigger picture, and at the same time have support from Armenian government and Russia, then it would be worth pursuing. To change the terms alone without a solid substituting plan and commitment to act or to deal with the consequences would only make matters more difficult. (Due to social and political vulnerabilities and instability in the country).
My response: Too late for Turkey and Azerbaijan to do anything. The Russians are in. Azerbaijan was stupid enough to take the Shushi bait.
(See Petition by Lt. Gen. Armen Zalinyan http://www.armenianlife.com/2020/12/04/petition-to-the-presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-russia-and-france-the-un-the-un-security-council-the-european-union/
This is excellent.
I agree that many points of this “agreement” (which has not been ratified by Armenia) should be declared null and void.
I would like to add that Russia must be held responsible for the war along with Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Israel.
Russia had the leverage, and clearly issued certain threats, in order to get Pashinyan and Aliyev to approve the agreement.
It is obvious, therefore, that Russia could have applied such leverage and threats before the war began on September 27 and certainly after a few days.
Instead, Russia let thousands of soldiers and civilians die with damage in the billions.
We must remember this draw the appropriate conclusions.
By the way, has Russia ever acknowledged the injustice it itself imposed on Artsakh going back to the 1920s?
No, it has not. And Russia has never tried to rectify that injustice.
This is a display of Russian selfishness and immorality that should also not be forgotten.