Movses Hakobyan: `Our army is capable of maintaining the ceasefire in
the conflict zone’
10-05-2008 13:32:10 – KarabakhOpen
An interview with NKR Defense Minister General-Lieutenant Movses
Hakobyan
Q – Mr. Hakobyan, I’d first like to congratulate you on the anniversary
of the liberation of Shushi and my first question relates to it. What
was the significance of Shushi’s liberation for Karabakh?
A – Thanks for the congratulations. As for the significance of the
liberation of Shushi in terms of Karabakh we can look at the issue from
several angles. As a commander in the military services of the republic
I would single out only two factors. First, the victory won in Shushi
restored Armenians with the belief that they could rely on their own
strengths and lead them to take solace in one overriding truth. That is
if you wish to command the respect and esteem of others first see to it
that you can defend yourself and that you master the skills to
neutralize the threat posed by the enemy, when the need arises.
Secondly, the operation involving the liberation of Shushi showed that
victory is inevitable if you have a leadership force and an army with
all its prerequisite structures in place. Yes, these were the two
important lessons that Armenians learned on May 9, 1992 and served as
the core of their future dazzling victories.
Q – The Azeri military budget grows yearly. Won’t this upset the
balance of power? What steps are being taken to maintain the balance?
A – Lately, I’ve answered this question on several occasions and I must
confess that the yearly increase in the Azeri military budget is of
concern and only goes to show the aggressive intentions of Baku. Let me
add however that in the final analysis every military budget gets its
final evaluation on the battlefield. In passing I should also note that
during the war itself the Azeri military budget outstripped our battle
expenses many fold but as it turned out Baku couldn’t translate this
superiority into victory. I don’t believe that it is possible to obtain
an advantage or upset the relation of forces merely through additional
military expenditures. Success is achieved not so much through the
growth of the military budget but rather as a result of the more
efficient and targeted utilization of the resources at hand. And I can
assure you that we’re accomplishing this otherwise Azerbaijan wouldn’t
have tolerated the ceasefire for fourteen straight years.
Q – Lately American-Armenian analyst Richard Giragosian stated in an
article that the military preparedness of the Azeri army was less than
its military expenditures would indicate. Do you agree with this
evaluation?
A – If I wasn’t an army commander but still possessed all the
information regarding the Azeri armed forces that I do know, perhaps
I’d agree with Mr. Giragosian. But my responsible position within the
government obligates me to overestimate the resources of our potential
opponent. It is incorrect to underestimate the enemy and we cannot
afford to make such a mistake.
Q – According to several studies the south Caucasus region is the most
militarized in all of Europe. Do you agree with this viewpoint? In
general, is the arms race a danger or a guarantor of security today?
A – Given that there are still a number of unresolved conflicts in our
region the arms build-up is perhaps inevitable. We are thus forced to
view the process as both a threat to and a guarantor of security. This
is the situation confronting us today and we must take it into account
in all our decision-making.
Q – The NKR army is considered to be the most fighting-ready force in
the Transcaucasus. Is this still the case today?
A – I am not the person to talk about this…There are higher bodies
that periodically evaluate what we have accomplished. But it remains an
indisputable fact that for many consecutive years our army has
succeeded in maintaining the ceasefire in the conflict zone and
ensuring the peaceful livelihood of our people without the intervention
of a third force. All this speaks to the high level of our army’s
military preparedness. Those high marks given to our army from time to
time, rather than lull us into a false sense of satisfaction, serve to
make us work even harder. As to the comparison regarding various armies
in the region, as always, I’d rather hear about that from others than
myself.
Q – The Karabakh war is included in the curriculum being taught in
military academies in Russia. What was it about the Karabakh War that
has made it required subject matter in Russian military instruction?
A – Generally, the study of the lessons derived from various wars is
vital in establishing a top-level school of military science. It is not
by accident that 2007 was declared to be the `Year to reassess our
army’s track record and to appreciate our best traditions’, during
which the main emphasis was placed on those military operations that
took place in the Artsakh liberation war that can garner the interest
of any given specialist in the field of the military arts, with their
uniqueness and operational characteristics. Of particular interest are
the operations conducted by small detachments, their quick redeployment
from one battle front to another, the characteristics inherent in
creating army structures parallel to carrying out military operations,
etc. Naturally, these are narrow specialist issues whose study and
dissemination require more time. I am convinced that many others will
study the lessons culled from our war as well in the future.
Q – What’s your evaluation of the negotiation process?
A – I am convinced that the negotiations taking place under the
auspices of the OSCE constitute the only avenue leading to the peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
Q – In your estimation what’s the probability that Azerbaijan will
resume military operations or do you think those bellicose declarations
were merely pre-election campaign rhetoric?
A – Regardless of whether those statements reflect a willingness on the
part of Azerbaijan to resume military operations or not, our forces are
always in the necessary state of military preparedness and will
effectively confront any military challenge whenever the need arises.
As to the probability that warfare might resume I must tell you that,
given my official position, I am obliged to confront such an
eventuality at any moment, even right now as we speak…