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It was rather a test on firmness
07-03-2008 16:12:09 - KarabakhOpen
Interview with Davit Ishkhanyan, representative of the ARF
Dashnaktsutyun CC of Artsakh.
In your opinion, is the skirmish on the Karabakh-Azeri border related
to the post-election events in Armenia?
It should not be ruled out though I don't think so. I think it was
rather a test of our internal state ` readiness for defense and
internal stability. The events in Armenia cause deep concern but I do
not think that they had direct influence on the activities of the NKR
government.
What is the situation on the front line like? Is it possible that the
skirmish will cause more large-scale actions?
We have never ruled out the possibility of a large-scale offensive
because de facto we are in a situation when no peace agreement has been
signed, and the talks continue. I have already had an occasion to say
that as soon as Azerbaijan feels confident to win, it may launch an
offensive at any moment. Our problem is whether we will be ready to
counteract. I think the readiness to counteract must be our primary
goal. It is possible that Azerbaijan noticed a `weak point' on the
border and used the opportunity to cause a stir.
How do you evaluate the situation in Armenia and were the actions of
the government against the demonstrators adequate?
In the pre-election period in Armenia we declined to comment because
interference with the internal affairs of Armenia would be incorrect.
In the post-election period, to our shame, a national tragedy happened
which may directly affect Karabakh.
As to the adequacy of the actions of the government, I should note that
both the government and the opposition are to blame. I think the
situation should not have been reduced to this.
Naturally, these events will affect the settlement of the Karabakh
issue. At least, both Azerbaijan and the international community are
trying to use this opportunity to pressure on the Armenian side. We
must be ready for this and make coordinated efforts to resist pressure.
Of course, it will depend on the recent events in Armenia, and the
political situation in general. However, I want to be optimistic and I
think that we will be strong enough to separate the wheat from the
chaff and to get consolidated to resolve our most important home
political issue ` the issue of Karabakh.
07-03-2008 16:12:09 - KarabakhOpen
Interview with Davit Ishkhanyan, representative of the ARF
Dashnaktsutyun CC of Artsakh.
In your opinion, is the skirmish on the Karabakh-Azeri border related
to the post-election events in Armenia?
It should not be ruled out though I don't think so. I think it was
rather a test of our internal state ` readiness for defense and
internal stability. The events in Armenia cause deep concern but I do
not think that they had direct influence on the activities of the NKR
government.
What is the situation on the front line like? Is it possible that the
skirmish will cause more large-scale actions?
We have never ruled out the possibility of a large-scale offensive
because de facto we are in a situation when no peace agreement has been
signed, and the talks continue. I have already had an occasion to say
that as soon as Azerbaijan feels confident to win, it may launch an
offensive at any moment. Our problem is whether we will be ready to
counteract. I think the readiness to counteract must be our primary
goal. It is possible that Azerbaijan noticed a `weak point' on the
border and used the opportunity to cause a stir.
How do you evaluate the situation in Armenia and were the actions of
the government against the demonstrators adequate?
In the pre-election period in Armenia we declined to comment because
interference with the internal affairs of Armenia would be incorrect.
In the post-election period, to our shame, a national tragedy happened
which may directly affect Karabakh.
As to the adequacy of the actions of the government, I should note that
both the government and the opposition are to blame. I think the
situation should not have been reduced to this.
Naturally, these events will affect the settlement of the Karabakh
issue. At least, both Azerbaijan and the international community are
trying to use this opportunity to pressure on the Armenian side. We
must be ready for this and make coordinated efforts to resist pressure.
Of course, it will depend on the recent events in Armenia, and the
political situation in general. However, I want to be optimistic and I
think that we will be strong enough to separate the wheat from the
chaff and to get consolidated to resolve our most important home
political issue ` the issue of Karabakh.