Category: 2021

Turkish press: ‘Azerbaijan troop mandate must be beyond political polemics’

Jane Topchian
 ANKARA LEGISLATION 
NOV 07, 2021 3:08 PM GMT+3

The Turkish Parliament as seen in this file photo taken on Nov. 3, 2020. (AA Photo)

The Azerbaijan troop mandate that is expected to be submitted to Parliament must be held out of political polemics, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Group Deputy Chairman Bülent Turan said on Sunday.

“Some issues must be beyond political polemics. The Azerbaijan troop mandate is one of these issues,” Turan told Anadolu Agency (AA), speaking on the mandate on the extension of Turkish troops’ duty in Azerbaijan.

“The Azerbaijan mandate had been accepted by all parties in the Parliament except for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). I hope the Republican People’s Party (CHP) does not repeat the mistake in the recent mandate and we have the chance to underline with our state, our security forces, our armies that we are on the side of our Azerbaijani brothers with all our parties’ support,” he said.

He said that this support is vital to give a message of unity.

The mandate on sending troops to Azerbaijan had been accepted on Nov. 17, 2020.

The Assembly granted permission for a period of one year to send the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to foreign countries to fulfill the commitments arising from the provisions of the Strategic Partnership and Mutual Assistance Agreement between Turkey and Azerbaijan, to establish a ceasefire, to prevent violations, to ensure peace and stability in the region, and to carry out the duties of the Joint Center.

In this context, it is expected that the term of duty of Turkish soldiers in Azerbaijan will be extended for one more year as of Nov. 17, 2021.

Turan’s words come after the CHP voted against a motion to extend troop deployment for anti-terrorism operations last month.

The AK Party, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the opposition Good Party (IP) backed the Iraq and Syria motion. The CHP and HDP, however, voted against the motion.

The motion allows the Turkish military to carry out cross-border operations in northern Iraq and Syria for two more years, from Oct. 30, 2021, until Oct. 30, 2023. It stated that the risks and threats posed by ongoing conflicts near Turkey’s southern land borders “continue to rise.”

This move by the CHP and HDP has drawn significant criticism from both people and officials while questions now remain whether the Azerbaijan mandate will be accepted by these parties or not. Turkey threw its support behind Azerbaijan, whose Nagorno-Karabakh region had remained under illegal Armenian occupation for nearly three decades before finally being liberated last November.

During a 44-day conflict last year, which ended in a truce on Nov. 10, 2020, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages in Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia’s illegal occupation.

On Nov. 10, the two countries signed a Russia-brokered deal to end fighting and work toward a comprehensive solution.

Turkey on Friday reiterated its commitment to supporting Azerbaijan further.

The main objectives for Turkey and Azerbaijan are the continuity of a cease-fire and bringing stability to the region, Turkish defense chief Hulusi Akar said at a reception at the Azerbaijan Embassy in Ankara for Victory Day.

“The stability is not only necessary for Azerbaijan and Turkey,” said Akar, adding that Armenia will also gain security and welfare if Armenia cooperates with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

“In this regard, we have a broad vision. We all know that very important steps can be taken for the security and welfare of the entire Caucasus by even holding six-party talks if necessary,” he said.

Akar said Turkish and Azerbaijani armed forces continue to clear mines in liberated regions from the Armenian occupation.

“We will continue to stand by our Azerbaijani brothers in their just cause, as we have done so far,” he said.

Turkish press: Defense Minister Akar urges Armenia to set aside hostility

David Nargizian
 ISTANBUL DIPLOMACY 
NOV 08, 2021 9:53 AM GMT+3

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar speaks at the victory ceremonies held at Haydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 8, 2021. (AA Photo)

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar called on Armenia to avoid hostility and focus on the future as he visited Azerbaijan on the anniversary of the Nagorno-Karabakh victory.

Attending the Nov. 8 Victory Day ceremonies in Baku with Chief of Staff Gen. Yaşar Güler, commander of the Land Forces Command Gen. Musa Avsever, Naval Forces Command Adm. Adnan Özbal, and commander of the Turkish Air Forces Command Gen. Hasan Küçükakyüz, Akar said he was happy to celebrate and share the joy of the Azerbaijani people.

Akar noted that the Armenian authorities need to set their current policies aside and take into consideration the suggestion for a six-member platform.

“Everybody should know that you cannot build a future based on hatred and enmity. Armenia should leave hostility behind and look to the future,” Akar said, noting that Turkey will continue to fulfill its responsibilities to ensure peace and stability in the region.

“The heroic Azerbaijani military’s victory did not only come as a result of a 44-daylong campaign, but a 30-year-old insistence, faith and resolution,” Akar said, adding that Turkey has stood beside Azerbaijan in its rightful struggle.

Akar also thanked Pakistan for its support to Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis as he hailed holding joint military drills with the country.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov hailed Turkey’s support during the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the post-liberation reconstruction efforts.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ilham Aliyev signed the Shusha Declaration, a pact focused on defense cooperation and establishing new transportation routes.

The agreement also affirms that Turkey and Azerbaijan will work together in the face of any external threat.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, with the Armenian Army launching repeated attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces, violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and some 300 settlements and villages that were illegally occupied by Armenia for nearly three decades.

The fighting ended on Nov. 10, 2020, after the two countries signed an agreement brokered by Russia.

Baku comments on Armenian Defense Minister’s illegal visit to Khankendi

Markos Nalchajian
Vestnik Kavkaza
Nov 9 2021
 9 Nov in 14:30

The illegal visit of the Armenian Defense Minister to the territories of Azerbaijan is a military-political provocation, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

According to the ministry, the Armenian media reported on the illegal visit of the Minister of Defense of Armenia Arshak Karapetyan to the territory of Azerbaijan, Khankendi, where the Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed.

“The unauthorized visit of the Armenian Defense Minister to Azerbaijani lands, holding meetings with illegal Armenian formations and expressing an opinion about their combat readiness is a military-political provocation,” the ministry reports.

The ministry stressed that this provocative visit of the Armenian Defense Minister was deliberately carried out on the eve of the anniversary of the signing of the trilateral statement by the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and the Prime Minister of Armenia.

“The military-political leadership of Armenia, grossly violating the provisions of the trilateral statement, intentionally destabilizes the situation in the region and endangers the activities of the Russian peacekeepers,” the message says.

The ministry added that the Armenian military leadership, instead of drawing conclusions from the total defeat in the second Karabakh war in 44 days, adapting to the new geopolitical situation in the region, strengthening peace and security, is making attempts at cheap military adventures with the expectation of an internal audience.

Armenia: opposition announces start of resistance movement

Yeghisabet Arthur
Caucasian Knot
Nov 9 2021

In the evening on November 8, an oppositional rally organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) “Dashnaktsutyun” was held in Freedom Square in Yerevan. According to the organizers, the rally should initiate a nationwide resistance movement.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on November 10, 2020, the trilateral agreement signed by Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia on the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh came into force. On the same day, residents of Yerevan, dissatisfied with the signing of the peace agreement with Azerbaijan, broke into the building of the Armenian government and demanded the resignation of Nikol Pashinyan.

The rally, headed by Robert Kocharyan, the second President of Armenia? was attended by the entire Aiastan parliamentary bloc; and the faction “I have the Honour” joined the rally.

In their speeches, the organizers of the rally accused the current power of the defeat in the Karabakh war, and noted that consolidation is needed to prevent further catastrophes, in particular, the Armenians’ exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh and the Turkishization of Armenia.

The movement should work on two fronts: external and internal ones, Ishkhan Sagatelyan, an MP from the “Aiastan” bloc and a member of the ARF “Dashnaktsutyun” Party, has stated in his speech at the rally.

“On the external front, we must make it clear to the whole world that Nikol Pashinyan is not a collective image of the Armenian nation, and any anti-Armenian document signed by him is unacceptable for us,” Mr Sagatelyan has stated. On the domestic (internal) front, Ishkhan Sagatelyan has suggested to oppose various destructive phenomena in all spheres.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 8, 2021 at 10:10 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

In Yerevan, protesters consider trilateral agreement to be illegitimate, JAMnews: restoration of railways complicated because of war in Karabakh, Russia’s position on Karabakh crosses out Minsk Group’s negotiation format.

Author: Armine Martirosyan; Source: CK correspondent

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

Stepanakert demands to punish Azerbaijani militaries

Antranik Varosian
Caucasian Knot, EU
Nov 9 2021

Those guilty of shelling the workers who were repairing water supply pipes in Stepanakert should be punished, official representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh have stated.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that in the afternoon on November 8, at the crossroads near Shushi, Azerbaijani military servicemen opened fire at the workers who were repairing the water supply system; one of the workers died in hospital, and three others are in the state of moderate gravity, the Nagorno-Karabakh Ombudsperson has stated.

According to the General Prosecutor’s Office (GPO) of Nagorno-Karabakh, on November 8, at about 3:00 p.m., at an intersection near the city of Shushi, an Azerbaijani serviceman opened fire on the workers of the “Water Supply and Sewage” Closed Joint-Stock Company (CJSC), who were repairing water supply pipes running to Stepanakert. One worker died as a result of a gunshot wound, and three others with gunshot wounds were taken to the Republic’s Medical Centre in Stepanakert.

At the above Centre, the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent was told that “three men, one of them 43 years old, the others aged 41 and 31, have been operated on; their condition is assessed by doctors as of moderate gravity.”

It is necessary to introduce clear mechanisms both for investigating such criminal actions against residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, and for bringing the perpetrators to justice, Gegam Stepanyan, the Ombudsperson of Nagorno-Karabakh, wrote in his Facebook page.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 9, 2021 at 00:30 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

A resident of Nagorno-Karabakh dies after a shelling attack, Farmer wounded by mine explosion in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan: bodies of two villagers found in minefield.

Author: Alvard Grigoryan; Source: CK correspondent

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

Karabakh forced migrants demand to be recognized as refugees in Armenia

Arsine Chaltikian
Caucasian Knot, EU
Nov 9 2021

In Yerevan, participants of a protest action have claimed that the Armenian authorities do not react to the demands of forced migrants to recognize them as refugees and do not try to organize their return to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that migrants from the regions of Nagorno-Karabakh that came under the control of Azerbaijan more than once held protest actions in front of the building of the Armenian government. In particular, on October 27, the protestors held a rally and then a march with the demand to officially recognize them as refugees.

Today, migrants from Nagorno-Karabakh have held a protest action in front of the Armenian government building with a demand to solve their social problems and grant them the refugee status, the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent reports.

Until July 2021, each forced migrant received a monthly allowance in the amount of 68,000 drams (about 142.8 US dollars) and 30,000 drams (about 63 US dollars) for each family member to pay for rent of housing. However, starting from July, the authorities stopped paying the allowances and reduced the amount of compensation for rent of housing to 25,000 drams (about 52.5 US dollars), the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent was informed by Levon Airyan, the head of the public organization “In the Name of Gadrut”.

Besides, according to him, the authorities are not trying to organize the return of migrants to Nagorno-Karabakh. “The authorities promise that the refugees will be returned and that conditions will be created for them. But they did not discuss any conditions with us,” Levon Airyan said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 9, 2021 at 02:45 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

Migrants from Karabakh demand refugee status from Armenian authorities, Authorities report on progress in post-war reconstruction works in Nagorno-Karabakh, Refugees in Nagorno-Karabakh complain about difficulties in obtaining housing.

Author: Tigran Petrosyan; Source: CK correspondent

Source: 
© Caucasian Knot

On anniversary of Karabakh ceasefire, the US calls for release of all detainees

Andranik Taslakhchian
Public Radio of Armenia
Nov 9 2021
November 9, 2021, 10:22

 1 minute read

This week, the United States and the international community recognize the one-year anniversary of the ceasefire declaration that ended 44 days of intense fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the South Caucasus, the US Department of State said in a statement.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and injured during the hostilities last year.  We call for the return of all remaining detainees, a full accounting of missing persons, the voluntary return of displaced persons to their homes, comprehensive humanitarian de-mining of conflict-affected areas, and access by international humanitarian organizations to those in need.  We also call for an investigation into alleged human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law,” the State Department said.

“The United States remains committed to promoting a secure, stable, prosperous, and peaceful future for the South Caucasus region.  U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Erika Olson is currently in the region to discuss bilateral issues with all three countries and to explore opportunities for regional cooperation,” the statement reads.

It urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue and intensify their engagement including under the auspices of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to find comprehensive solutions to all outstanding issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Israeli lawmakers submit bill to recognize Armenian Genocide

Hovik Karapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
Nov 9 2021
November 9, 2021, 15:20

 1 minute read

Several opposition Members of Knesset (MKs) have submitted a bill Tuesday to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide and hold a memorial day for it every April 24, The Jerusalem Post reports.

The bill was submitted by Shas MKs Ya’acov Margi, Haim Biton and Moshe Arbel alongside Likud MKs Yuli Edelstein, Israel Katz and Yoav Kish.

This is not the fist time an attempt has been made in the Knesset for Israel to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.

In 2018, Meretz MK Tamar Zandberg proposed a bill to recognize the massacre as genocide, but the bill was canceled due to government resistance.

In 2019, a number of high-profile members of Knesset like Yair Lapid and Gideon Sa’ar voiced support for the move, but again it did not proceed due to little government support.

Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan – Foreign Ministry

Torgomian Varazdat
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 9 2021

The Foreign Ministry of the Artsakh Republic issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of the ceasefire declaration on November 9. The full text of the statement is provided below.

“One year ago, on 9 November 2020, thanks to the active mediation efforts of the Russian Federation, a trilateral statement was signed by the President of the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan. The signing of the trilateral statement made it possible to put an end to the 44-day war of aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh with the direct military involvement of Turkey, as well as international terrorists and mercenaries from the Middle East, and laid the ground for the entry of Russian peacekeeping forces into the territory of Artsakh to maintain peace in the zone of the Azerbaijan-Karabagh conflict. The trilateral statement also plays an important role in ensuring the post-war rehabilitation of the Republic of Artsakh.

As a result of the aggression and the devastating war that lasted 44 days, significant territories of the Republic of Artsakh, including the town of Shushi, the historical and cultural center of Artsakh, were occupied by Azerbaijan. During the hostilities, the Azerbaijani army committed numerous war crimes, including deliberate attacks on civilian objects, torture and extrajudicial killings of prisoners of war and captured civilians, ethnic cleansing, deliberate destruction of historical and cultural monuments and churches, the use of indiscriminate weapons prohibited by international law.

Even after the signing of the trilateral statement on 9 November 2020, Azerbaijan has not stopped its internationally wrongful acts and continues its offensive and aggressive actions, including capture of military personnel and civilians, carrying out deliberate killings, destruction of Armenian churches and cultural heritage in the occupied territories.

In this regard, it should be emphasized that the situation resulting from the illegal use of military force by Azerbaijan, flagrant violation of its international obligations, systematic and massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law cannot serve as a basis for the settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabagh conflict.

It is well known that the norms of international law prohibit the recognition of any territorial gains as a result of the threat or use of force. Moreover, the use of force cannot abolish one of the fundamental principles of international law, the equal rights and self-determination of peoples, enshrined in the UN Charter and other fundamental international documents.

The position of the official Stepanakert and the will of the people of Artsakh remain unchanged. Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan. Respect for the inalienable right to self-determination realized by the people of Artsakh and de-occupation of the territories where they created their independent statehood through self-determination and developed it are the cornerstone of a comprehensive settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabagh conflict and establishment of a sustainable and lasting peace in the region.”

Realities created as a result of Azerbaijan’s use of force against Artsakh cannot create basis for conflict settlement, Armenia says

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 9 2021

The Foreign Ministry of Armenia issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of the November 9 trilateral statement of the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani leaders, that ended the 44-day war in Artsakh. The full text of the statement is provided below.

“In order to halt the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan on September 27, 2020, against Artsakh and its people, with the direct involvement of Turkey and foreign terrorist fighters, on November 9, 2020, with the mediation of the President of the Russian Federation a Trilateral Statement on complete ceasefire and termination of all hostilities in the area of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was signed, which resulted in deployment of peacekeeping forces of Russia in Artsakh.

Today we once again bow before the brave Armenians who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the right of the Armenian people to live and build their own future, preventing the attempt of the aggressors to completely annihilate the Armenians from Artsakh.

The 44-day war, accompanied by mass violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and cultural monuments, use of prohibited weapons and other war crimes by Azerbaijan, resulted in thousands of casualties, tens of thousands of wounded, displaced people and mass devastation. As a result of the war, a number of regions of Artsakh were subjected to ethnic cleansing, and the population became victims of war crimes and mass atrocities committed by Azerbaijan. In particular, 40,000 people lost their homes and property, more than 17,000 civilian facilities and infrastructure were destroyed, hundreds of civilians were killed or injured, and the fate of many still remains unknown.

Armenia and Artsakh have consistently implemented the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, while just a month after the signing of the latter, despite the commitment to stop in the current positions at the time of signing, Azerbaijani armed forces infiltrated into Khtsaberd and Hin Tagher villages of Hadrut region of Artsakh, killing and capturing Armenian servicemen. Moreover, after the withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the regions mentioned in the document, the Azerbaijani side responded with the infiltration and continued illegal deployment of its armed units into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia from the very same territories.

Azerbaijan has not yet implemented the paragraph 8 of the November 9 Statement, holding numerous Armenian prisoners of war, hostages and other detained persons in captivity, which is not only a gross violation of the Trilateral Statement but also of international humanitarian law.

The ceasefire regime established by the Trilateral Statement is periodically violated by the Azerbaijani armed forces, accompanied by targeting not only the positions of the Armenian Armed Forces and Artsakh Defense Army, but also peaceful settlements and civilians, leading to human and material losses.

Deliberately distorting and arbitrarily commenting the provisions on unblocking regional infrastructure enshrined in Trilateral Statements from November 9, 2020, and January 11, 2021, Azerbaijan circulates the idea of a so-called “corridor” and threatens with the use of force, which not only contradicts the letter and spirit of those statements, but also aims to undermine efforts of de-escalation in the region.

The consistent Armenophobic policy blatantly conducted by the highest leadership of Azerbaijan, the ethnic cleansing in the territories of Artsakh fallen under the Azerbaijani control as a result of the use of force, the destruction and desecration of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage, as well as the obstruction of the access of international humanitarian organizations to Artsakh demonstrate the fact that the guarantee of the right of the Armenians of Artsakh to safe and dignified life in their homeland under the jurisdiction or control of Azerbaijan is impossible.

The realities created as a result of the use of force by Azerbaijan against Artsakh and its people cannot create basis for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan’s claims that as a result of the war the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Nagorno-Karabakh itself does not exist in the international arena any more are also violations of the November 9 Trilateral Statement, as Nagorno-Karabakh is presented as a territorial entity right in the latter.

Only the full implementation of the Trilateral Statements from November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021, particularly the immediate resolution of urgent humanitarian issues, first of all, the unconditional repatriation of all prisoners of war, hostages and other detained persons, the clarification of the fate of missing persons and the investigation of the cases of enforced disappearances, protection of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage, as well as the full resumption of the process of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can create conditions for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.

The comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict is only possible through peaceful negotiations under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, which assumes the clarification of the status of Artsakh, ensuring conditions for the safe return of displaced Armenians of Artsakh to their places of residence throughout Artsakh, and realization of the right of the Armenians of Artsakh to safe and dignified life in their homeland, based on equal rights and self-determination of peoples.

Armenia reiterates its readiness to undertake practical efforts towards the de-escalation of the situation in the region, gradually overcoming the atmosphere of hostility, opening an era of stability and peaceful development. At the same time, for the effectiveness of this process, Azerbaijan should adopt a constructive position, renouncing its policy of Armenophobia, aggressive rhetoric and actions.”