AZERI ANALYSTS TAKE THE DESIRED FOR REALITY

[MosJan]

AZERI ANALYSTS TAKE THE DESIRED FOR REALITY

It is not a secret that Azerbaijan is closely watching the political developments in Armenia and it is not either a secret that Armenia is doing the same. But Azerbaijan perceives the Armenian reality, basing on the articles, published in the opposition papers and adds to them their own malicious joy and self-delusive presentation of the desired as the reality.

 

 

This was clearly reflected last week. Some Baku-based political analysts used a visit by president of Armenia Robert Kocharian to several military bases November 9-11 to feed their imagination. On November 14 one of Baku-based newspapers wrote” “Kocharian, as the supreme commander in chief of the armed forces, was trying to raise the spirit of demoralized troops by visiting bases, deployed along with borders with Azerbaijan and Karabagh and giving presents to officers and soldiers.” Goodness knows where did they pick up the myth about demoralized Armenian troops. But when these very analysts regarded as a bluff the announcement of the Armenian defense minister Serzh Sarkisian that “if Azerbaijan resumes hostilities in Nagorno Karabagh that would mean the beginning of its final defeat” is really funny.

 

 

The reasons for such “profound” observations were, on the one hand their own ravings, and on the other hand, some articles in the Armenian press claiming that Armenia is behind Azerbaijan in terms of economic development and that Armenians are leaving the country in big numbers.

 

 

Citing the signature collection campaign, launched by the so-called radical opposition to start impeachment proceedings against Kocharian, Azeri analysts note with delight that some 40 lawmakers have already signed under the petition, which brings them to the following conclusion that the Armenian statehood is being shattered.

 

 

“Armenians are beginning to realize that they will not be able to keep the occupied Azeri lands any longer in case of resumption of hostilities,” they claim. This not nothing but inciting their own country to attack Armenia with its “demoralized” army, “underdeveloped economy” and “mass out-emigration.”

 

 

Of course, Armenia can afford ignoring such insinuations. One could just say: “Come on, gentlemen, try and we shall see who is going to lose their heads.” But we would like to warn Azeri analysts not to take seriously what the opposition newspapers in Armenia write. Can the Azeri analysts point to an opposition that is praising the ruling authorities? The campaign for starting president Kocharian’s impeachment proceedings is not a perspective matter, as there are not constitutional grounds for it. What the opposition can achieve at best is to include the issue on parliament’s agenda with an intention to slander the president. But this is the maximum they can reach and of course it will not “shatter” the Armenian statehood.

 

 

Second, “if Armenians themselves understand that they will lose the war in case of resumption of hostilities,” why do they come from the position of strength? This kind of accusations were in the same articles in November 14 issue. The situation is funny, as Azeris come up with belligerent calls, but accuse Armenia of coming out from the position of strength. A similar announcement was made by a senior official of Azerbajani president Aliyev’s staff Mamedov who said that Armenia’s approval of the most recent OSCE Minsk group’s proposals and Azerbaijan’s rejection meant that Armenia was coming out from the position of strength.

 

 

But there is something we have to learn from this. We have to realize that every our mistake, careless expression towards one another may give rise to false, groundless conclusions, encourage Azerbaijan to start unreasonable actions. The propaganda war again Armenia, pursued by Azerbaijan for years, may turn into a real war, if we do not warn the Azerbaijani public about its aftereffects.

 

 

By Rafik Hovanisian

 

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