EX-COMMANDER OF ARTSAKH ARMED FORCES – WE’VE ALREADY HANDED OVER TOO MUCH LAND
Anahit Danielyan
N agorno Karabakh important society
2009/09/02 | 15:42
The former commander of the Artsakh armed forces, Argady
Ter-Tadevosyan, aka Komandos, today stated at NKR independence
ceremonies in Stepanakert that even though he was a seasoned war
veteran and educated in the art of warfare, he learnt how to defend
the land and people of Artsakh against superior Azeri forces when
he stepped foot in the war zone.Pointing to the graves of Artsakh
war dead, Commander Ter-Tadevosyan commented, "When you visit this
memorial and see the graves of those who fell, you understand just
what they accomplished and how their heroism was manifested."
He stated, that of late, average Karabakh residents are asking him
if there is the possibility of war breaking out again. Commander
Ter-Tadevosyan said that he tells them that while everything is
possible Artsakh today has a "strong protector" in its army and in
its people. He added that the third important factor in this regard
is the resources that derive from the unity of the Armenian people.
Answering reporters’ questions regarding the return of certain
territories in a peace deal, the battle-hardened commander said that,
"this land and this spectacular natural beauty is ours and will
always remain ours." He added that since he is a soldier whose
comrades spilt blood on this land he could only speak negatively
about land concessions.
"What can we give back; we’ve already given back so much. We’ve
ceded Shahoumyan, Martakert, Artzvashen … What is there left to
give?" retorted the former commander, adding that he cannot understand
those who talk about returning any territories.