The Armenian side is ready to discuss the issue of refugees and lands, but the issue on the self-determination is not subject to discussion for it, journalist Rodolfo Casadei writes in the article in Italian newspaper Tempi.
In particular, the article reads: “The main areas have been restored, but those closer to the frontline have remained as a series of wrecks and uncultivated fields.
“The position, which you see, scattered into pieces from a tank fire,” a soldier says. We are standing in drizzle, which is sprinkling on his helmet. “We even had no wounded, since part of us was at the bunker, while the security men were in far trenches. We immediately backfired,” he says.
In the last 22 years, there have been thousands of estimated ceasefire violations, almost always initiated by the Azerbaijani side. They have resulted in dozens of deaths on both sides. But there had been no attack like the April one.
Cross and crucifixion can be seen almost anywhere in Karabakh. And not only because some of the oldest Armenian monasteries and churches are located here. Many women wear lockets with crucifixion. The wall painting in the hall of the Foreign Ministry of Affairs depicts Holy Mother with a sword by crucified Christ. 70 years of atheism didn’t extinguish the faith of Armenians, but changed their families. The birth rate in the country is 1.38, almost the same as in Italy.
“But this is not a religious war,” reiterate the Chief of the Armenian Presidential Administration Vigen Sargsyan, the Nagorno-Karabakh Ambassador to the Middle East Garo Kebabjian, Karabakh Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan and First Deputy Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan.
According to them, the exclusive nationalism of the Azeris and the policy of the Aliyev regime, which has been holding absolute power in the country for 23 years, are obstacles in the way to the conflict settlement. Others, like Kebabjian, see the reasons behind the April events in a new pan-Turkish project with Erdoğan’s participation.
The Armenians are ready to discuss the conflict and issues related to the refuges and internally displaced persons (724,000 Azeris and 413,000 Armenians), as well as the return of part of the territories, but the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination is not subject to discussion.”
