Has the Government 'Washed Its Hands' of Artsakh? 'PAST'

The newspaper 'Past' writes: 'It has been 5 months since the end of the war, but there are numerous issues and questions regarding the Artsakh problem that not only remain unanswered but also deepen and are not raised at all. It seems that the entire country should be living in anxiety over the Artsakh issue these days, but instead, the stark reality is that if any citizen expresses an alternative opinion, they quickly become a target for the government's propaganda machine. The authorities discuss every secondary issue, but Artsakh is not among them.

It feels like the authorities are deliberately trying to avoid discussing the details of the Artsakh issue. Aliyev regularly boasts, stating that the Artsakh question has already been resolved and belongs to the historical past, while our 'steppe-people' show no reaction. Their tongues are tied. Yet, they respond to even the smallest details in the domestic arena, furthermore, they even feel entitled to boast.

Nonetheless, let us note that the Armenian authorities, led by the head of state, are simply observing a vow of silence regarding the Artsakh issue. Only during a visit to the Aragatsotn Province did Pashinyan allegedly break the silence and tried to address the question of why we had so many casualties. 'Our boys died so that today we could tell Azerbaijan that the issue of Artsakh is not resolved,' he noted. However, it is a different matter that this statement was nothing short of disgraceful.

On the other hand, merely claiming that the Artsakh question is still unresolved, without taking concrete steps, does not change anything; urgent actions are necessary primarily to support Artsakh and emphasize its subjectivity. Otherwise, by trying to blame the previous authorities for everything that happened, Pashinyan finds himself in a ludicrous position. Armenia must first raise the issue of Artsakh's status in the international arena, establish its red lines, and demonstrate to the international community the consequences of Azerbaijan's aggression and the crimes committed against the people of Artsakh, through which the people of Artsakh have been deprived of the necessary living space and opportunities.

Even areas that were part of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast have become objects of Azerbaijani occupation. After all this, Azerbaijan does not wish to stop, aiming for complete control over Artsakh and the ethnic cleansing of its population. The war violated two of the three principles of conflict resolution negotiations, namely, the principle of self-determination of peoples and the rejection of the use of force or threats thereof, and it seems that the Armenian side has reconciled itself to what has happened. Meanwhile, the attention of the co-chairing countries of the Minsk Group should be drawn to this matter every day.

On the other hand, it seems that Armenia has 'washed its hands' of Artsakh, more specifically, from its responsibilities as a guarantor of Artsakh's security. Despite the conditions under which this government exists, Armenia has its own security issues to address, let alone being able to think about the security of Artsakh.

However, the question is that, while it is true that the Russian peacekeepers provide security in Artsakh, this is simply not enough, and one of the critical indicators of Artsakh's subjectivity is the need to have its own combat-ready armed forces. In this context, it is noteworthy that the Secretary of Artsakh's Security Council, Vitaly Balasanyan, recently stated that citizens of Armenia can volunteer to serve in Artsakh. This statement carries a unique message in its subtext regarding receiving assistance from Armenia. But are the authorities capable of understanding this message?

Months after the war, Pashinyan has not stepped foot in Artsakh, whereas previously he never missed an opportunity to go to Artsakh and promote himself. The visits of Armenian officials should affirm the independent status of Artsakh. Once, the Armenian Foreign Minister visited Artsakh, and we saw the fierce reaction that followed from Azerbaijan; after that, our high-ranking officials seem to be trying to avoid visits and fitting themselves into the framework drawn by Azerbaijan. It is not accidental that expert circles are voicing that the authorities have withdrawn from Artsakh, leaving it alone. It seems living this way is easier for them.'