ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE INFORMATION WAR: DEBUNKING AZERBAIJANI DISINFORMATION
BY ARMEN SAHAKYAN
asbarez
Friday, June 29th, 2012
Ambassador Richard Kauzlarich (left), moderator Holly O’Neal (center),
and Ambassador John Evans (right) during the discussion
Bloomfield College, Class of 2013 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern Class
of 2012
A benefit of being in Washington is to see foreign policy being
hashed out first hand – not just in the halls of Congress or the
Administration, but at think tank sponsored events, bringing together
experts to provide insights on everything from U.S. policy on China
to the Middle East or anywhere in the world, for that matter. These
events attract all sorts of folks – Ambassadors, U.S. government
officials, researchers, students, – who come in and offer their views,
ask questions, or just plain listen. The issues discussed and the
positions advocated often help shape – directly or indirectly –
how government deals with these concerns.
The ANCA Leo Sarkisian interns got to see a snapshot of how the think
tank event world works first hand on June 20 at “Averting Conflict
in the Caucasus – Is Russia a Partner or a Spoiler” sponsored by the
World Affairs Council and Center for Transatlantic Relations at the
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
The guest speakers were former US Ambassadors to Armenia and
Azerbaijan, John Evans and Richard Kauzlarich. Everyone in the
Armenian American community, of course, knows Ambassador Evans –
whose principled statements reaffirming the Armenian Genocide led
to his recall from his position as U.S. Ambasador. Amb. Kauzlarich
served as the U.S. envoy to Azerbaijan from 1994-1997, amongst his
other responsibilities at the State Department.
The discussion pertained to Russia’s role in the greater Caucasus
region – Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan as well as Northern Caucasian
Russia. Although the discussion by both former Ambassadors touched
upon the Georgia-Russia conflict and North Caucasus states, the main
topic ended up being the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) conflict –
not surprising given where these two senior diplomats had served.
ANCA 2012 Leo Sarkisian Interns with Ambassador Evans after the event.
>From left to right: Kyle Movsessian, Garen Bostanian, Grigor Grigorian,
Aram Balian, Ambassador John Evans, Ara Nerssessian, David Oganesyan,
Joseph Kazazian, Carina Khanjian, and Armen Sahakyan
I won’t go into the specific arguments for each of the Ambassadors
per se – but would like to focus on the discussion that followed.
The Ambassadors, to their credit, held a collegial and balanced
dialogue regarding the situation in the region.
And then, all hell broke loose in the question and answer session.
An Azeri diplomat went into a diatribe of false and old claims
regarding the so-called “occupation” of 20 percent Azeri lands,
Armenia’s unconstructive approach in the negotiations process,
removal of the Armenian forces from the “occupied territories”,
and other nonsensical statements. These provocative words raised the
tension in the room, and set the path for the rest of the discussion
to be about Artsakh.
Next up was, Armenian diplomat Andranik Hovhannisyan, who debunked
the Azerbaijani diplomat’s allegations with remarks of his own.
The moderator, concerned she is losing control of the whole affair,
tried to cut the Armenian diplomat short – but Hovhannisyan stood
his ground.
Then Aram Avetisyan from the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Representative’s
office took the microphone and asserted the point that Armenia
cannot negotiate with a country that constantly threatens with war,
exponentially expands its military budget, and does not lose any
opportunity to spread anti-Armenian propaganda.
Gradually, the discussion curved from Russia’s role in the Caucasus
to the Artsakh conflict.
That was my opportunity to ask a question regarding the reinstatement
of Artsakh in the negotiations process. Azerbaijan’s mission has been
to deprive Artsakh a seat from the negotiations table to secure the
upper hand in the peace talks. Of course, the premise is absurd. The
Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a co-signer of the ceasefire of 1994. How
could it possibly not be included in the discussions that would decide
its own fate?
And so the questions continued – with the speakers talking about
the need for Armenia and Azerbaijan to come to their own consensus
– working with the international mediators – to find a peaceful
resolution to the conflict.
What struck me, though, is how important it was to have pro-Armenia
voices participating at this event – to counter the Azerbaijani
government’s lies. If the Armenian Embassy, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
office, ANCA and other concerned Armenians were not there – the
Azerbaijani diplomat’s remarks would have set the tone for the
discussion.
These discussions are a forum to bring up issues like the importance
of the international community’s clear and forceful condemnation of
all past and present Azeri aggressions against Armenia and the need
to fight for the formal reinstatement of Artsakh back into the Minsk
Group peace process.
These forums are an opportunity to ask experts why Azerbaijan always
tries to keep the tension high on the front lines and provoke military
action – all the while professing they are committed to a peaceful
resolution to the conflict.
And we don’t have to limit ourselves to events in Washington, DC. The
World Affairs Council – and groups like them – have chapters all
around the country, not to mention event possibilities at our local
campuses. Joining these groups, working with our campus political
science departments is a great way to spotlight issues related to
Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian nation.
The ANCA Leo Sarkisian team did its part on June 20, asking key
questions on Artsakh policy concerns and helping debunk Azerbaijani
propaganda. Now time to go back to our communities and work with our
local ANC’s, AYF’s and ASA’s to continue in the same spirit on and
off campus.