BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 12. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been interviewed by Turkish
Haber World TV channel.
Development presents the interview.
– Welcome to Haber World TV channel. We’ve got an
extraordinarily essential visitor. As you understand, Azerbaijan is waging a
patriotic struggle. There’s a fast however sustained development of the
Armed Forces of Azerbaijan on the battlefield. A ceasefire, tense
diplomatic processes, particularly after the assaults Armenia
dedicated yesterday, instantly after the announcement of the
ceasefire, exercise on the battlefield and on the negotiating
desk. All, after all, is intently watched by President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev who has agreed to speak to us as we speak regardless of
the tensions. Welcome, Mr. President.
– Thanks.
– Initially, I wish to begin with yesterday’s
assault, the newest scenario on the battlefield and on the
negotiating desk. On the one hand, we all know that you’re carrying
out intense diplomatic actions. Thanks once more for taking the
time to speak to us regardless of such a busy schedule. Yesterday we noticed
the response to the assault in your civilian inhabitants. Nevertheless, a
utterly completely different strategy is noticed in overseas media, a sort
of propaganda struggle of the diaspora. Initially, what’s the
present scenario like?
– After all, we now have been dealing with black propaganda for a lot of
years. There are a number of causes for this, considered one of which is the
exercise of Armenian diaspora organizations in some nations.
Azerbaijan is the goal of this exercise. Their agenda at all times
consists of such objectives as denigrating Azerbaijan, spreading lies about
Azerbaijan and, thus, undermining the picture of our nation.
Armenian diaspora organizations and their patrons, Armenians of
the world have unleashed an info struggle in opposition to Azerbaijan in
reference to the latest battles. On account of that, distorted
info is commonly printed in world media nowadays.
Subsequently, we should make nice effort to speak Azerbaijani
realities to the world group. On this regard, I wish to specific
my particular gratitude to representatives of the Turkish media,
as a result of main TV channels and different media retailers in Turkey
flow into the reality about this battle to the world each day, day
and night time.
It’s doable to say that instantly after the introduction of
the ceasefire, Armenia continued its vile actions. We paused for a
whereas as a result of we’re true to our phrase. Since a ceasefire was
introduced, we have been hoping that the Nagorno-Karabakh situation could be
resolved politically as a result of we thought that the army stage was
over, the aggressor had realized its lesson on the battlefield and
would now take note of the realities and present a constructive
strategy on the diplomatic degree. Sadly, we didn’t see
that and the ceasefire, which got here into power at 12 o’clock, was
violated by Armenia.
As you understand, a horrific crime was dedicated in opposition to civilians on
the next night time. Town of Ganja was bombed. Town got here
underneath fireplace with “Tochka-U” missiles, because of which civilians
have been killed and injured. That is one other manifestation of the ugly
face of Armenian fascism.
Armenians of the world, Armenia’s supporters, their benefactors
and Islamophobic circles will now not have the ability to conceal this
crime as a result of every little thing is already apparent. There have been assertion
for the press on the scene yesterday and representatives of overseas
embassies who’re visiting the location as we speak see every little thing with their
personal eyes. As soon as once more, they see who’s inflicting this battle, who
pursues an aggressive coverage, who’s committing crimes in opposition to the
civilian inhabitants. The Armenian state is a state of terror, a
fascist state, and this crime in opposition to humanity has proven this as soon as
once more.
– The issue you could have simply talked about is essential.
We’ve got labored in lots of areas the place Turkey is preventing terrorism.
For instance, the PKK subjected our cities to rocket and artillery
fireplace. We knew that this was the work of a terrorist group. I
stated this in our broadcast yesterday – an motion that’s
incompatible with humanity, conscience and logic. Earlier in your
deal with to the folks, you stated that you just have been receiving calls, in
specific, from Russia, asking for a ceasefire. The ceasefire has
been reached, however then with what logic and why is that this assault being
carried out? How would you reply this query?
– Initially, we should take note of the terrorist nature
of Armenia as a result of they’re being defeated, they’re dropping on the
battlefield. The victorious Azerbaijani Military achieves new army
successes each day. Both a metropolis or a village is liberated from
occupation nearly each day, or the territory of those villages is
taken underneath management. As we speak I can say that a number of settlements are
now absolutely underneath our management. We merely have not entered these
settlements but as a result of there isn’t any want for that from a army
viewpoint. However we are going to make additional bulletins after some
time. Subsequently, Armenia is being defeated in all instructions of the
entrance, and this being the case, it desires to avenge its ache and
defeat on civilians. That is their nature. The perpetrators of the
Khojaly genocide have now carried out an assault on Ganja.
The military-political management of Armenia is responsible of the
assault on Ganja. Based on the data we now have, this
determination was made personally by Pashinyan. We’ve got correct
info that Pashinyan is at present experiencing very extreme
psychological upheavals. His ethical and psychological state may be very
tense and he makes inappropriate selections. For instance, they’ve
made a number of makes an attempt to re-occupy Hadrut. This morning, I used to be
knowledgeable that final night time a big group of commandos who arrived
from Armenia tried to re-occupy Hadrut though from a strategic
viewpoint, this isn’t notably essential for Armenia –
simply to take a selfie there and report back to its inhabitants. The
Azerbaijani Military neutralized this unit, and the losses Armenia
suffered there that night time are solely victims of Pashinyan’s
irresponsible and predatory insurance policies.
That is their tactic, as they’re accustomed to the truth that
they are going to at all times be supported on the world stage. Sadly,
the world’s Armenians, their patrons, Islamophobic circles have the
strongest positions on the planet. They’ve at all times supported
Armenia and their aggressive coverage in opposition to us, defended them. They
unfold utter lies about Azerbaijan, tried to painting Azerbaijanis
as aggressors. However as we speak, within the age of the Web, it is rather
troublesome for them to do that as a result of there are already
non-traditional media retailers, there’s the Web, and
speaking info is just not very troublesome. Subsequently, they no
longer have the identical positions within the info struggle now. We’re
heading in the right direction. We’re proper when it comes to each worldwide legislation
and historic justice. We’re on our personal land, we’re preventing on
our personal land. If Armenian troopers depart our lands, then this
battle will even finish.
– You will have talked about the worldwide group. The
West didn’t specific a specific response to this assault. Did you
count on a protest? In the course of the assembly held by Mr. Hajiyev with the
attachés yesterday, we additionally witnessed such an image. He stated three
instances: ask questions and we are going to reply and clarify to you the true
state of affairs. No reply.
– We did not actually count on something, and there’s no want for
that as a result of through the years we now have seen that they don’t wish to
hear the reality or attempt to disguise it, distort info and actual
info. There are a lot of causes for that. Subsequently, our foremost purpose
was to resolve this situation, restore historic justice and our
territorial integrity. We’ve got sufficient power to do that.
After all, the help offered from the very first days, from
the very first hours by fraternal Turkey, the clear statements of
my brother, esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in addition to
statements of different high-ranking officers offered Azerbaijan with
ethical help and in addition confirmed the entire world that Turkey is subsequent
to Azerbaijan. In any other case, this battle between Armenia and
Azerbaijan may cowl a wider geography.
– Do you count on a sustainable ceasefire? It’s
consistently violated though it was reached after 11 and a half
hours of negotiations in Moscow. Yesterday, we, journalists,
witnessed that Baku is exhibiting nice persistence.
– Sure, we’re exhibiting persistence. After all, after such a barbaric
shelling of Ganja, each Azerbaijani is outraged and an satisfactory
response is required. However we’re giving a solution on the
battlefield. We avenged yesterday’s victims on the battlefield. Our
angle is that this: we now have by no means fought and aren’t preventing
civilians. This is without doubt one of the qualities that distinguish Azerbaijan
from Armenia. Subsequently, in an effort to guarantee a sustainable
ceasefire, Armenia should, initially, perceive that they are going to no
longer see the lands liberated from occupation and won’t return
there. For them, that is utterly unimaginable. No matter they are saying
and no matter help they’ve, this won’t occur. We got here to
these lands, these are the lands of our ancestors. No power can
drive us out of there. The earlier they perceive this, the higher
for them as a result of for an enduring ceasefire to be reached, each side
have to be dedicated to it. We’re dedicated to it. We noticed the
ceasefire, which got here into power at midday, however once we noticed that
Armenia was violating it, naturally, we couldn’t however react. We
have to guard ourselves. Thus, it’s doable to say that the
ceasefire entered into power however didn’t occur in actual life.
– Are you receiving alerts to retreat, at the least at this
level, out of your lands?
– No, we’re not receiving such alerts and no-one may give us
such alerts. That is opposite to worldwide legislation and historic
justice. There have been no such alerts. There have been alerts to
cease. There have been alerts to not transfer ahead anymore. There
have been alerts to make sure a ceasefire. And we are saying: effectively, let
there be a ceasefire, however in parallel it’s essential to resolve
the problem peacefully.
I imagine that the agreements reached in Moscow absolutely meet our
pursuits, as a result of, initially, it offers for the change of
our bodies of these killed within the motion and prisoners on a
humanitarian foundation. We needed this from day one. However Armenia did
not go for it. There are additionally different crucial political
moments. Considered one of them is the restoration of negotiations,
discussions, continuation of substantive negotiations based mostly on
basic rules. And the basic rules meet our
pursuits, as a result of they supply for a withdrawal of Armenian armed
forces from the occupied lands. It’s acknowledged in them that the
Armenian armed forces will withdraw from 5 districts on the
first stage and from two extra on the second stage. After that, of
course, all internally displaced individuals will return to the locations
the place they lived earlier than. Which means our internally displaced
individuals will return to each Shusha and Khankandi, after which a
political resolution to this situation could be offered.
One other situation – Armenia has at all times had a unfavourable angle to
this – is that the format of the negotiations stays unchanged.
The Armenian management and prime minister Pashinyan have at all times
stated that Azerbaijan ought to negotiate with the so-called
“Nagorno-Karabakh republic”. However we have been against this. The
inclusion of such an merchandise there’s additionally in our pursuits.
Subsequently, there are already all the chances and all of the
grounds for the transition from a army stage to the diplomatic
and political stage. As for the problem of Armenia’s observance of
the ceasefire, I hope that the brand new profitable operations of the
victorious Azerbaijani Military yesterday and this night time will power
them to take action.
– Since 27 September, when this patriotic struggle started, you
have been speaking about the opportunity of resolving this situation
throughout the framework of a brand new format, with extra lively
participation of Turkey, that this situation could be resolved collectively by
Russia and Turkey. However Lavrov’s assertion didn’t point out Turkey.
It adopted from his assertion that the negotiations would once more be
continued throughout the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group within the
future. In what means and when will Turkey be on the negotiating
desk? Has this been spoken about?
– After all, that is our place. I’ve stated this many instances.
I wish to reiterate that Turkey should undoubtedly play an lively position
within the political settlement of this situation. I additionally know that some
Turkish media retailers are questioning why Turkey was not in Moscow.
Naturally, this was not envisaged on the present stage. Neither was
Turkey confronted with such a process. This isn’t a strategy of
negotiations. That is only a ceasefire on a humanitarian foundation. In
different phrases, it was not an occasion organized for negotiations. So
far, negotiations have been carried out throughout the framework of the
Minsk Group. Nevertheless, these negotiations have been ineffective and
have yielded no end result. For practically 30 years, we now have not obtained a
single centimeter of our lands again by means of negotiations.
Subsequently, I additionally stated fairly appropriately that the Minsk Group was
established in 1992, and we now have no details about the premise on
which it was established. In case you take a look at the composition of the
Minsk Group, you’ll be able to see that it additionally consists of nations situated
removed from this area, which don’t have any reference to it and have
by no means been within the battle. Their presence right here a
formality. Effectively, if we wish to resolve this battle – and we do
need this – then there have to be nations that might have each
power and affect and this composition shouldn’t be
one-sided. Discover the actions of Armenian diasporas within the
nations that are actually co-chairs of the Minsk Group now. In all
three nations, Armenian diaspora organizations have nice
political affect. Thanks to those political alternatives, they
affect the officers of those nations. So how truthful is it? Why
should not Turkey even be a co-chair? It’s already a member of the
Minsk Group. Subsequently, our coverage is kind of logical and we now have a
result-oriented strategy.
Geopolitical realities have modified. The scenario in 1992
can’t be in comparison with the present scenario. Turkey as we speak is a
powerhouse not solely within the area but additionally on a world scale. Many
within the West don’t wish to settle for this. This annoys them. They’re
used to the truth that, sadly, their phrases generally had a
excessive worth in Turkish politics final century. However Turkey is pursuing
a completely impartial coverage as we speak and has was a power
to reckon with on a world scale. What situation could be resolved in our
area with out Turkey? Look, Turkey has its say in Syria, Libya,
the Center East, our area, and it is a actuality. It have to be
reckoned with.
I can not say when the negotiations will start, however since Armenia
is violating the present ceasefire, I don’t imagine that it’ll
be honest within the negotiations. In any case, de jure or de facto,
Turkey should undoubtedly take part within the settlement of this
drawback. It’s already taking part as a result of it’s no secret that
we maintain common consultations with Turkey. Because the starting of
these processes, since 27 September to the current, we now have been in
fixed contact. Excessive-ranking representatives of Turkey are in
shut contact with the heads of state and authorities of many
nations. Subsequently, it’s already a actuality. We simply have to show
de facto actuality into de jure actuality.
– You will have stated, “why should not Turkey be within the system
of co-chairmanship, it must be”. I’ll ask for extra readability however
quote you. Earlier, in your deal with to the folks, you used such
expressions, “we now have modified the established order, the road of contact
is now not there, we now have damaged it”. Might you please dwell in
element each on Turkey’s participation within the new negotiations and
on these phrases of yours, what did you imply? What established order will probably be
created by Baku any longer?
– You already know, for a few years, we made nice effort to get a
assertion from co-chairs on this regard. Lastly, about seven to
eight years in the past, a number of statements have been made on the degree of the
presidents of America, Russia and France that the established order is
unacceptable and have to be modified. We welcomed that. I’ve additionally
acknowledged a number of instances on this regard that it is a very constructive
strategy. In different phrases, it signifies that Armenian armed forces should
depart our lands. Armenia ought to change the established order as a result of we
haven’t occupied Armenian lands. How can we alter the established order?
This grew to become a type of message, a sign to Armenia. Sadly,
this and different statements – there have been a number of – hung within the
air. What did we hear after that? Just lately, the co-chairs backed
down from these phrases. What are they saying now? They’re saying
that the established order is just not sustainable. However there’s a huge
distinction right here. The established order have to be modified, i.e. Armenia should
depart our lands. The established order is just not sustainable, i.e. it’s
unstable, which signifies that they merely state this as a truth. This
being the case, Azerbaijan modified the established order itself, on the
battlefield. The established order is gone. The settlements and villages
of Aghdara, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Hadrut have already been liberated.
What established order can we speak about now? None. Line of contact? It’s
gone. It’s clear that the present line of contact was created on
the premise of deep army information. Armenia didn’t have any
army information at the moment. This have to be admitted overtly. The
low authority of Armenia creates a really significant issue for them.
For them, the road of contact needed to be very quick and straight.
And this was finished. They’re sensible sufficient for that. This was finished by
their advisers. In case you take a look at the outdated line of contact, you’ll
see that it has a horizontal-vertical form. Like this, a clean
one. In different phrases, it is rather straightforward to defend it. Their positions
have been primarily based mostly on the hills. It was very troublesome to take them,
to destroy fortifications. Now there isn’t any line of contact. We
broke by means of it from a number of instructions – from the north, from the
south after which from the east. What line of contact can we discuss
about now? It’s gone! The salvation mission of the Azerbaijani
Military continues. We liberate new positions each day. It does not
matter if these positions are a village or a metropolis. Let there be a
hill, a mountain – they’re extra essential than a village or a
metropolis. We’ll return to the cities anyway. The principle process for us is
to occupy strategic heights. As we speak, all of the neighborhoods of Hadrut
are underneath our management. Town can be ours. A totally
completely different query is whether or not to enter town or not. At current,
we’re not confronted with the political process of declaring the
liberation of 1 place as we speak and one other tomorrow. No! In some
instances, we liberate villages and cities and announce that after a day
or two. This tactic additionally exists.
Let me say once more: there isn’t any established order and there’s no line of
contact. There is no such thing as a fantasy about an invincible military the Armenians
had been inventing through the years. We confirmed who’s who. Subsequently,
these realities have to be taken into consideration by Armenia, its patrons
and the entire world. Those that inform us to “cease” ought to know: effectively,
we will cease, we are not looking for bloodshed both, however after {that a}
political course of should start. If the political course of doesn’t
begin, we won’t cease. I stated that we’d go all the best way. To
the top. However how? In army or political methods? That is one other
query. We wish the army stage to finish, in order that no blood is
shed, there are not any martyrs and we liberate our lands
peacefully.
– The political and army aspect of the problem is one
factor. As we speak, extra exactly from the second we arrived in Baku, we
have met with individuals who have been compelled to depart these locations. Amongst
them have been folks from each Khojaly and Jabrayil. We visited the
villages constructed by the Azerbaijani state, by you. Everybody we met is
crammed with a way of gratitude to you and to the state. They are saying,
“we dwell right here, we don’t want something, however we wish to return to
our lands.” The folks of Jabrayil, answering the query, “What
will you do on the lands liberated from the occupation?”, instructed us,
“Simply let there be a roof over our heads and that might be sufficient
for us.” What’s going to you do for these folks? Will there be new
building work on these lands?
– We’ll construct not solely roofs there, we are going to construct total
cities, we are going to return life to these locations. We’ll restore all
the destroyed locations. As we speak they’re underneath the management of our military.
A few of the liberated lands are already being visited by
representatives of our media. In others, our servicemen shoot
movies themselves. We are able to see that there’s not a single constructing
there. In different phrases, these are the actions of the fascists. The
world should and can see this. Have a look at the state of Aghdam and
Fuzuli as we speak. They’ve destroyed all our villages. They thought
the Azerbaijanis would by no means return there. However they don’t know
in regards to the willpower of the Azerbaijani folks. We’ve got rebuilt
Jojug Marjanly in nearly eight months. The village, which we
liberated from occupation in 2016, was rebuilt in six to eight
months. Folks dwell there as we speak, there’s fuel, water, electrical energy,
a mosque, a hospital, a faculty, homes – every little thing. As well as,
we offered them with agricultural tools and this village has
revived. We should flip all this land into paradise. The character there
is already like paradise, and although these lands have been underneath
the heel of the Armenians for a few years, they are going to be reborn.
Life, youngsters’s laughter and folks’s smiles will return there.
The residents of Azerbaijan will dwell on these lands with
dignity.
Our internally displaced individuals know that their drawback is the
primary drawback for me, for the President. You, too, know the way
a lot assist we offer. This 12 months, we are going to present 7,000 households
with new residences. About 35,000 folks obtain free housing from
the state yearly. The state pays them a month-to-month allowance.
Subsequently, after all, they’re glad with the care of the
state. In our conferences, they at all times specific their gratitude and
say: every little thing is ok right here, we dwell in new homes, we now have not
seen such circumstances, however please take us again there, we wish to go
there. And they’re going to go.
Subsequently, we should work on plans for the event of those
areas now. Related directions have already been given.
Planning will probably be carried out for the inhabitants of Azerbaijan to
return to those areas and settle there as quickly as doable.
– Mr. President, thanks very a lot for assembly with us
regardless of such a good schedule and diplomatic tensions.
