Chief of the Department for Socio-Political Affairs at the Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov`s interview to AZERTAC

- There is serious tension at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and on the frontline. Many were killed and wounded on both sides. How do you evaluate this tension and activities of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in the present situation?

- The reconnaissance and sabotage groups of the aggressive Armenia`s army attacked the positions of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in various directions at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the line of contact between the troops. These attacks got intensified on August 1-2, leaving 13 our servicemen dead. May God rest the souls of our killed soldiers in rest! I express condolences to their families. Patience, restraint, patriotism and citizenship showed by the parents and friends of our shahids are praiseworthy. This fortitude is an example for all our people, our society and each our citizen.

I want to note that although the Armenian sabotage groups` attempts to attack were pre-planned they failed to achieve their goal and retreated suffering serious casualties. Undoubtedly, the Armenian authorities and self-proclaimed regime in Nagorno-Karabakh are cautious of providing objective information about the scale of their losses, knowing the public discontent within the country will grow and they will face serious pressure from the society. Nevertheless, we know that Armenians suffered huge losses thanks to vigilance and adequate response of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. The Armenian media reported the death of tens of servicemen even under tough censorship.

All these facts demonstrated clearly the power and high combat efficiency of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. The Armenian occupants made sure that they face a professional, effective, regular army equipped with sophisticated weapons rather than splinted military forces as it was in the early 90s. The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan are the region`s strongest army, which is capable of accomplishing any mission.

- There are different stories to explain why the tension ran high. What are the reasons behind recent attacks of Armenia on the frontline?

- Escalation of tension on the frontline boils down to a few reasons. First of all, the current tension must be understood as an element of Armenia`s policy to keep the existing status quo. As you may know, President Ilham Aliyev-led Azerbaijani diplomacy gained huge success in unmasking the aggressive face of Armenia, raising the world community`s awareness of the truth on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We managed to oust the Armenian lobby from areas where it was traditionally dominant. During our UN Security Council membership, we undertook necessary steps to keep this conflict in the center of the world community’s attention. All the leading international organizations, major super powers, some influential states confess that the status quo is unacceptable and stand for the resolution of the conflict on the basis of international law principles. Armenia no longer has reasonable excuses for the next period. Thus, the Sargsian regime, on one hand, seeks to avoid increasingly insistent demands of the world community, OSCE Minsk Group to solve the problem once and for all. On the other hand, the regime wants to limit its activity by having us bound by some agreement, being cautious that the time will come when Azerbaijan will opt for the other ways of liberating its occupied lands. Azerbaijan will achieve fair resolution of the problem using all its capabilities, resources at its disposal, powerful political, economic and military potential.

The other region is associated with the Armenian government’s attempt to distract the attention of the Armenian diaspora and local public, who have overtly expressed protest against its domestic and foreign policy, from the existing serious socio-economic problems. Armenia was left out of political, social, economic and cultural life of the region as a result of its aggressive policy. Its whole economy is mainly controlled by Russia and its smaller part by the Armenian lobby and some other members of mafia represented in the government. There are no prospects for development of this country since it does not have any internal resources and foreign investments and was left out of all regional projects. That is why Armenia is suffering serious financial squeezes, social and demographic tension. Because of unemployment, poverty, limited human rights and freedoms and other reasons people leave for other countries. The Armenian official bodies confess that 60-70 thousand people abandon the country for ever annually. This gives rise to discontent in the society, and authorities seek to distract the public`s attention from internal problems by using the Karabakh factor. The Armenian authorities, Armenian lobby must understand that as long as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not settled, the situation of this country and its people will be worsening. Armenia, which virtually lost its state independence, will have to formalize its loss in a couple of years.

I must note that dynamic development of Azerbaijan, its consistent success in the international arena, high activity of our diplomacy, further strengthening of contacts and cooperation with the countries of the world, great respect and trust in the world towards activity of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev make the leadership of Armenia, the Armenian lobby irritated and concerned. This is why they seek to undermine the prestige of the Azerbaijani authorities, exacerbate the internal socio-political situation in our country by causing political and military provocations. However, it is evident that these attempts yield a reverse effect.

It is not ruled out that they intend to deflect attention of the international community away from the other military conflicts that are going on in the post-soviet area.

- Can the latest raid of the Armenian reconnaissance and sabotage groups that claimed many casualties cause the increase of international pressure on Armenia?

- I believe that serious sanctions against Armenia should have been imposed long ago. Sanctions imposed against Russia during the Ukraine developments, first of all, must be referred to the aggressive Armenia, which has flouted UN`s four resolutions. Despite the calls of the international community, OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs as well as the UN resolutions over the last 20 years, Armenia continues to spark provocations on the frontline even today. This country does not give up its aggressive policy. The Armed Forces of Armenia have occupied 20 percent of the Azerbaijani lands and committed an ethnic purge, resulting in displacement of over a million people. Armenia evades implementing decisions of the influential international organizations including respective UN Security Council resolutions. Its provocations resulted in the recent escalation of tension on the front line, violation of the ceasefire, increased threat of resuming military operations, the killing of many people, exposing to danger of the civilians living at the frontline. I think serious sanctions against Armenia are important for ensuring security in the whole region too. In addition, the analysis of similar cases in the world shows that the most efficient way to stop the aggressor is to adopt effective measures against it.

Considering the above-mentioned, I believe that the statements of the US Department of State, UN, European Union and other influential states and structures have not lived up to expectations of the Azerbaijani community. The international community, member states of the OSCE Minsk Group, all the leading international organizations, in particular, the UN Security Council must increase their attention to the existing situation to prevent escalation of fighting in the region, put real measures in place that could keep Armenia from its destructive activity.

- When these developments happened, media outlets complained a little bit that the Defense Ministry was not so much prompt in releasing information. What is the reason behind the Defense Ministry’s information-related activity?

- We did not forget to what consequences information blockade, which we faced in early 90s, led during the bitter military confrontation and information chaos in our society. The unobjective panic was spread among the local population instead of raising the world community`s awareness about the Armenian aggression and cruelty, plight of refugees and internally displaced people. Reports of the then officials were contradictory and media was hit by serious anarchy. This activity, accordingly, misled the society, undermined the spirit of servicemen. Newspapers even published the plans of military operations. It all was against our country and its defense policy.

Perhaps, the information could have been provided to the society quicker. We have to take into account that the Defense Ministry is a closed body. Providing trustworthy and accurate information to the society about military operations, incidents on the frontline and other developments is the issue that needs great responsibility. The Armenian sabotage groups attacked the positions of the Azerbaijani army in different areas of the state border and on the frontline. It is natural that time is needed for gathering, analyzing information and preparing a report. That is why I do not think that allegations on the delay of information are well grounded.

- But before the information was released, media and social networks reported very harmful and untruthful news on the situation on the frontline, number of the killed and other issues...

- I believe that professional media, NGO, political parties, as a whole, the Azerbaijani public including famous intelligentsia showed restrained towards tension on the frontline and our casualties, and took a right position. It once more proves that there are no problems that can undermine our national unity existing in Azerbaijan. I deem it my duty to note some cases that went beyond this trend. It is sad that extreme intolerance shown to the government by some political groups, small NGOs controlled by them and representatives of media went over the line. Some structures run by foreign anti-Azerbaijani and Armenian circles got used to associate any minor problem with the incumbent government and advance unreal claims with the logic peculiar to them only. The stand they have taken over the developments once more confirmed the fact that these groups and Armenian propaganda synchronize their activities.

At the same time, it is necessary to note that many Internet and media resources took an inadequate, unexplainable position over the tension on the frontline. These resources became the source of the false, partial information and in some cases, deliberately or not, caused despondency and confusion by informing the public about provocative reports of Armenian media.

- What should media do in such a situation, what position should they take?

- I think that one of the most important functions of media is to put national interests above all, mobilize citizens and society for the common goal. Under such circumstances, famous media outlets, which have real leverages to influence public opinion, must become, figuratively speaking a locomotive, and be able to agree the mission of satisfying needs of the society in the objective and prompt information with national interests. The Azerbaijani media, our journalists must be patriotic and never forget that they are symbols of devotion to national statehood and of principled stand for national interests.

I hope the Azerbaijani journalism will continue to worthily perform its mission of serving the people and statehood of Azerbaijan, remaining committed to its glorious historical tradition.

- What can you say about the arrest of chairman of the Institute of Peace and Democracy Leyla Yunus? Let us note that some foreign organizations made statements condemning their arrests and human rights record of Azerbaijan as a whole.

- Azerbaijan is a country, which advances on the way of democracy, observes its human rights commitments, provides all-round support for development of institutes of civil society and media. Over 2,500 NGOs, hundreds of media outlets, tens of political parties freely operate in Azerbaijan today. Therefore, I consider as unfounded the allegations of some foreign circles and organizations which negatively assess human rights, freedom of speech and information record in Azerbaijan.

I think that if foreign organizations, which make such statements, increase their attention to negative developments in their own countries, they will look more objective.

More specifically, I would like to note with respect to the arrest of Leyla Yunus that law-enforcement bodies brought charges against her based on serious facts. The investigation is in progress presently. It is the court that can determine if these allegations are grounded or not. In any case, attempts of various foreign circles and groups to politicize the issue, cast shadow on the activity of respective bodies are ineffective and can not produce any result. I would like to say that both the Azerbaijani legislation and international law do not envisage any practice of releasing crime suspects on the grounds of their occupation. All are equal before the law and each one must be accountable for his or her deeds.

On the other hand, it is clearly seen that an antinational group, which is steered by foreign circles, is operating within Azerbaijan. This group is suspected of being linked to the Armenian lobby. The material spread by the Armenian media in support of Leyla Yunus, strengthening anti-Azerbaijani campaign give grounds to come to the respective conclusion. This group constantly plays a role of a tool in creating the climate of mistrust in the society, shaking the national unity, shaping a negative opinion about Azerbaijan abroad. They become especially active on the eve of important international events, which are scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan. They organize various political campaigns at the expense of high grants, attract attention of the international society, transnational media, foreign organizations to the artificially exaggerated fictitious issues. I wanted to let them know that Azerbaijan is an independent nation and attempts to restrict its policy, damage its prestige, cast shadow on the success achieved by our country with such despicable actions cannot deliver any practical result.