Issue of helicopter downed by Azerbaijan again raised in UN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The United Nations has again expressed concerns regarding the current escalation on the Nagorno Karabakh line of contact urging all sides to refrain from any actions likely to lead to further escalation of the situation on the ground and to fulfill their repeated commitments to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. As reports “Armenpress”, the Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq stated this at the course of the noon briefing responding to a reporter’s question, which runs as follows: “You know that Azerbaijani forces hit Armenian helicopter, which was just training there. And there were three pilots, young men, in that helicopter; and we have no idea what happened to those guys, because up to now, the Azerbaijani side does not let the Armenian rescue mission get to the side of the crash of the helicopter that they hit to help these people, you know, to provide medical help or support. Do you think this is normal? Because they continue to keep the fire so the rescue mission could not even approach that site. And can UN make an official statement about this and maybe help not to aggravate the situation even more, you know?”

The Deputy Spokesman underscored: “Yes. Well, what I have to say on this is simply as I also had to express yesterday: the Secretary-General shares the very serious concerns expressed by the co-chairs of the OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] Minsk Group and other international partners regarding the ceasefire breach on the 12 November along the Line of Contact, including the shooting down of a military helicopter and resulting casualties among the crew members. He reiterates his previous call on all parties to fully respect and adhere to the ceasefire agreement. The Secretary-General also urges all sides to refrain from any actions likely to lead to further escalation of the situation on the ground and to fulfill their repeated commitments to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The Secretary-General reiterates his full support for the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and the three co-chairs to assist the parties in pursuing a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

It’s noteworthy that Haq again tried to put an equality sign in the incident, without a clear distinction between the aggressor and a victim. In this regard, the reporter continued: “Of course, we are talking about all parties. But an Azerbaijani military officer murders Armenian officer during NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] disciplinary trainings in his sleep with an axe, and not only he walks free, he becomes a national hero. As Azerbaijani snipers on a regular basis murder Armenian soldiers on the border during the armistice — this is normal — as their Azerbaijani military kidnap Armenian innocent villagers and torture them to death, I think: why don't we call and why can't we call a spade a spade? We are not dealing with parties here. We are dealing with clear aggressor and victims, innocent victims. So why can't we call an aggressor an aggressor, like Azerbaijan, and call for their full responsibility, especially since we know that these countries are in peace talks and every time such things happen, it's a provocation for an answer and prolonged war.”

While addressing the question put forward, the Deputy Spokesman made another evasive statement: “Yes, thanks. I'm aware of your opinion, and I've registered that. At the same time, I've said what I had to say on this. And this is a call to all parties. We do want all parties to respect and adhere to the ceasefire, and that is where we are focusing our efforts at this point.”