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Time in Yerevan: 11:07,   29 March 2024

Azerbaijan has chosen path of bringing situation closer to war: Artsakh Defense Minister

Azerbaijan has chosen path of bringing situation closer to war: Artsakh Defense Minister

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Last year was productive for the Armed Forces of the Artsakh Republic as the projects aimed at increasing the combat readiness of the army were realized. Minister of Defense of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, commander of the Defense Army, Lieutenant-General Lyova Mnatsakanyan expressed such an opinion during the exclusive interview with “Armenpress”.  He spoke about the tension on the border, the challenges the army faces. He also explained why the international experts started excluding application of “blitzkrieg” by Azerbaijan.

Mr. Mnatsakanyan, if we sum up 2015, how did it go for the Artsakh Army?

We can consider 2015 as a productive year for the Armed Forces of Artsakh in terms of military building, as all the processes it implies were brought to life by means of corresponding projects and were aimed at gradual development of the army’s combat readiness. As a priority, a special attention was paid during the year to increasing of combat training and readiness of commanders of all ranks and rank and file; their combat and strategic–professional skills were improved by theoretical and practical trainings, great work has been done in strengthening of the front line and making it aligned with the demands of combat duty. Apart from the aforementioned, processes of replenishment of arms and military equipment, their maintenance and purposeful exploitation, military logistics, measures taken to improve social conditions of the military and their family members, etc. are in the centre of command staff’s attention. Thanks to these and other activities, the Army not only was able to ensure continuity of the last years’ achievements, but at best fulfilled its mission, i.e. protection of the country’s borders and security of own people. 

One of the experts has characterized the situation of the last two years as “slow war”. Do you agree with the description?

In reality the developments in the Line of Contact of the opposing armies since August, 2014, which are exceptionally connected with the provocative actions of the Azerbaijanis side, have not fitted in the logic of the ceasefire agreement the parties reached in May, 1994. It is obvious that Azerbaijan not only gradually changes the tactics of its aggressive actions, but also the forces and means used in those actions. So if initially Azerbaijan made its provocations by means of snipers and subversive groups, then it has started using mortars, rockets, artillery and tanks since March, 2015, including 122mm howitzer D-30, TR-107 artillery rockets of Turkish production, tanks.  And if we also add to the above-said the downing of the Armenian helicopter by the adversary in November, last year, it will become more than clear that  the Azerbaijani side has chosen the path of reaching conflict settlement not by peaceful negotiations, but by bringing the situation closer to that of war.

The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have been using weapons of Turkish production during the last one year. Is the issue raised during the meetings with the OSCE MG Co-Chairs?

During the meetings with the OSCE MG representatives, I touch upon, within my competence, not only that issue, but also another ones connected with the situation in the Line of Contact. As regarding their response, it would have been right to address that question to the OSCE MG Co-Chairs, if there is such an occasion. 

Turkey is a member of NATO. As to you, in this regard how is NATO’s silence consistence with the principles and ideals set forth by this structure?

It would be more correct to apply the relevant addressee in order to get the answer to this question

 If a few years ago, some international military experts, foreseeing a war in Artsakh, mentioned that Azerbaijan will necessarily turn to “blitzkrieg”, but in the latest period they do not made such an observation. As to you, how the international experts’ view is changed?

I would like to say that those who primarily referred to “blitzkrieg” were unaware of reality or their judgments were made upon the Azerbaijani propaganda. However, the most likely outcome of the war and serious conclusions can be done by those who have a real understanding of the possibilities of opposing parties. Of course, probably your highlighted experts already have access to that reality.

Mr. Minister, an analysis was presented a few years ago, according to which the most part of Armenian soldiers deadly killed by enemy snipers, received injuries in their head. This was attributed to the soldiers’ carelessness. What is the situation now and what work is being done in this regard?

If in the frontline the ceasefire regime is violated by different weapons, and sniper war carries the explicit nature naturally then losses are inevitable. But this does not mean that we have to adapt to this reality and seek exculpatory reasons. This is unacceptable and we have to search and find all the possible ways that lead to such events, if not completely ruling out it but at least to its substantial reduction. But it is necessary to first educate soldiers in proper military and moral qualities in order to achieve the mentioned above and the second, to make perfect the engineering equipment of military positions. These are the two fundamental conditions over which implementation we are taking steps today.

Mr. Mnatskanyan, unfortunately there are many human losses in Armenian army this year. Is there a statistical data in this regard and what is the percentage of those killed in peacetime?

For us, every soldier's death is irreparable loss and it does not matter it happened in military position or in peacetime. This is a reality that is not measured by statistics, but by human lives… Believe me, the loss of even one soldier is a tangible strike to our military power and therefore, we have to do every possible and impossible to avoid such emergency situations.

Mr. Mnatsakanyan, What are the issues, challenges and solutions over which you are going to carry out works during next years?

- As always, our work in the coming year will be aimed at enhancing and strengthening the army’s power. And there are all the backgrounds to carry out the mentioned above. I am convinced that the entire personnel of the armed forces and the people behind it will do everything possible to ensure the secure and peaceful vitality of our country.

Interview by Hasmik Harutyunyan 








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