Updates
Interviews and press conferences
02
09, 2011
Interview of President Serzh Sargsyan to Free Artsakh newspaper and the NKR State TV station
First, what’s the gist of Artsakh’s independence for the Armenians?
Artsakh’s fight for freedom has a long story. Since the very moment when the illegitimate decision to attach Karabakh to Azerbaijan had been made, protests against that decision never stopped – neither during the oppressive Stalin era, nor during the years of stagnation. Quite naturally, the struggle received a new impetus during “perestroika” and declared policy of liberalization. Our goal was to eliminate discrimination and injustice made to us, unlawful actions taken against us, take off pressure and freely master the future of our Motherland. This is the gist of Artsakh’s independence.
In February, 1988 when current stage of the Karabakh movement began, the entire process fit into the USSR legal framework. The very claim and format to meet that claim were lawful. The elected authorities of the Autonomous Region of Nagorno Karabakh adopted legal decision which was not intended to and didn’t affect the rights of the Azeri minority residing in Karabakh. Our patriotism is based on all-human values. We rejected hatred and violence. This is the gist of Artsakh’s independence.
However, we were opposed with a quite different thinking. Response to that decision came as a march of the vile and armed mob from Aghdam toward the Armenian villages. It was followed by a bloodbath in Sumgait.
1988-1991 were years of struggle and purification. Every possible method was used to suppress the implementation of our right to live free. Those were the years of curfew, arrests and carnage. From day one, Baku was trying to eliminate legitimate leadership of the Artsakhi people. For that reason, we were compelled to create a wide network of self-defense. We didn’t succumb to that pressure. Our resolve is the gist of Artsakh’s independence too.
Today, twenty years later, every element of the gist of Artsakh’s independence is still valid. These are eternal values which must be comprehensible and dear not only to every Armenian but also to every human being.
Where were you on September 2, 1991, the day Nagorno Karabakh declared its independence?
I was in one of Artsakh villages because those days our main task was the organization of our self-defense. After the coup d’etat in August 1991, it became clear that the Soviet army would be withdrawn and we would be left face to face with the Baku rascals. Operation “Ring” had already taken place; Azerbaijan was looting arms and armory of the Fourth Army. We had to be ready to resist Baku’s aggression; otherwise they would displace everyone just as they had done it in Getashen and Shahumian. Forces of Artsakh and Baku were unequal. Nevertheless, we had won because our war was just - we were defending our Fatherland.
How did you get the news on the NKR independence?
It was not about getting the news because it was our calculated step. After the August putsch, Mutalibov was trying to tame the wave of nationalism which was becoming more extremist. On August 30, 1991 Azerbaijan declared that Azerbaijani state of 1918-1920, which Nagorno Karabakh had never been part of, was being reinstated. Under the circumstances we had to utilize our rights envisaged by the Constitution of the USSR and the Law on Secession from the Union. And we did: on September 2, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh declared independence.
What’s the most critical episode in Artsakh’s twenty-year long existence for you personally?
Liberation of Shushi, of course. Throughout its history Shushi has been and will be the most significant symbol of Artsakh. It used to be one of the most important towns of the Caucasus, one of the most prominent Armenian centers. Azeris are talking about this town constantly. However, it isn’t quite clear why they destroyed and burned on several occasions a town which is allegedly theirs. There is no logic: people do not set their own towns on fire, they do not destroy them. Back in 1960s it was dilapidated. It wasn’t that long ago; we all remember when and how the decision was made to rebuild it.
How would you define stages of formation of the Republic of Artsakh?
Such definition is always very relative. The first stage, undoubtedly, was the struggle. We earned our right to live free in our Fatherland in unequal fight. The second stage was the strengthening of the Artsakhi statehood in peaceful conditions and that stage ended with the adoption of the Constitution in 2006. The third stage is still evolving. I have no doubt that it will be crowned with the international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh.
The importance of a proper assessment of the traveled distance will secure the road still to be covered. Have there been many mistakes? What are the lessons?
Only people who want to shrug off their share of responsibility and put it on the shoulders of others speak much about mistakes. In the end of the twentieth century we were provided with a unique opportunity to redress mistakes of the past, and we didn’t miss the chance. It means that the Armenian people learned lessons of history very well. Thus, it would be more appropriate to speak of the lessons than mistakes. I believe, the great Eghishe Charents gave a precise definition of the lessons we learned: “Oh, Armenian people, your only salvation in your united power.” We will err only when we deviate from that behest.
The Armenian Army is the guarantor of Artsakh’s independence. You, who at the dawn of the statebuilding of two Armenian states were coordinating that area: what’s your assessment of the Armenian Army?
We have ushered into the twenty-first century with the “twin kids”: the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and Defense Army of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, these are our beloved “twins”. They were not created to flutter our national vanity. Twenty years ago we simply didn’t have other choice. However, I am an optimist. The best army is the one whose sheer existence prevents any possibility of the attack. I am certain that durable and long-lasting peace will eventually come to our region. It is important for the peoples.
Today too, the neighboring state is engaged in warmongering. How would you assess the military and political situation in the region?
The military and political situation is complex but controllable. I have said on several occasions that the Armenian troops must be ready for combat at any moment. And that’s the best way to avert war. Saber-rattling of the neighboring state first of all pursues psychological ends. It’s foremost an attempt to divert the attention of the Azerbaijani public from its own internal problems. It’s very easy to blame everything on the external enemy. It is also an attempt to put us under psychological pressure. However they underestimate our resolve.
There are two Armenian Republics at the political arena and our aspiration to live free depends on each of us. Our political and military interests are defended by Armenia; however today the people of Artsakh are concerned with the peaceful resolution of the conflict. When the Artsakhi side can become a full party to the negotiations? It’s been said on many occasions that the last word belongs to the people of Artsakh. Perhaps it would be right to provide us with that opportunity today so that there is no need to make amendments in the future?
Artsakh is a full party to the negotiations even today. Back in 1994, the OSCE Summit in Budapest decided that elected authorities of Nagorno Karabakh must be invited to the Minsk Conference, and the negotiations must be held with the participation of all parties to the conflict, i.e. by the parties which signed the ceasefire agreement. That decision was adopted with the participation of Azerbaijan. Today, Azerbaijan refuses to negotiate with Artsakh, but along with that refusal accepts that eventually it has to negotiate with Artsakh. They are accusing Armenia, trying to lay the blame on us but they admit that the future of Artsakh must be decided by its people.
Artsakh has been reasserting its right for life and existence for the last twenty years. What features of the Artsakhi character allow them to build a democratic state and maintain it?
Our people are the amalgam of independent, entrepreneurial, hardworking individuals. It may surprise many, but I also believe that the Armenians are very law-abiding people. Simply people should get strict guidelines and principles regarding existing laws. In that case they will be the most law-abiding people. There is, however, a distinction, which I believe, it defined mostly by natural and climatic specifics: mountain dwellers – people of Syunik, Aparan, Artsakh are a little more stubborn, particularly when it comes to fighting injustice.
A great panoramic picture of Artsakh – what colors do you see at this point? What colors would you like to see in twenty years?
Peaceful and steadfast, employing its freedom and rights for prosperity. The people of Artsakh have the same right as any nation in the world. The most important among these rights are the rights to live and peacefully on their own land, to raise children in their Motherland, to christen them in the national church and educated them in their native tongue.
Artsakh’s fight for freedom has a long story. Since the very moment when the illegitimate decision to attach Karabakh to Azerbaijan had been made, protests against that decision never stopped – neither during the oppressive Stalin era, nor during the years of stagnation. Quite naturally, the struggle received a new impetus during “perestroika” and declared policy of liberalization. Our goal was to eliminate discrimination and injustice made to us, unlawful actions taken against us, take off pressure and freely master the future of our Motherland. This is the gist of Artsakh’s independence.
In February, 1988 when current stage of the Karabakh movement began, the entire process fit into the USSR legal framework. The very claim and format to meet that claim were lawful. The elected authorities of the Autonomous Region of Nagorno Karabakh adopted legal decision which was not intended to and didn’t affect the rights of the Azeri minority residing in Karabakh. Our patriotism is based on all-human values. We rejected hatred and violence. This is the gist of Artsakh’s independence.
However, we were opposed with a quite different thinking. Response to that decision came as a march of the vile and armed mob from Aghdam toward the Armenian villages. It was followed by a bloodbath in Sumgait.
1988-1991 were years of struggle and purification. Every possible method was used to suppress the implementation of our right to live free. Those were the years of curfew, arrests and carnage. From day one, Baku was trying to eliminate legitimate leadership of the Artsakhi people. For that reason, we were compelled to create a wide network of self-defense. We didn’t succumb to that pressure. Our resolve is the gist of Artsakh’s independence too.
Today, twenty years later, every element of the gist of Artsakh’s independence is still valid. These are eternal values which must be comprehensible and dear not only to every Armenian but also to every human being.
Where were you on September 2, 1991, the day Nagorno Karabakh declared its independence?
I was in one of Artsakh villages because those days our main task was the organization of our self-defense. After the coup d’etat in August 1991, it became clear that the Soviet army would be withdrawn and we would be left face to face with the Baku rascals. Operation “Ring” had already taken place; Azerbaijan was looting arms and armory of the Fourth Army. We had to be ready to resist Baku’s aggression; otherwise they would displace everyone just as they had done it in Getashen and Shahumian. Forces of Artsakh and Baku were unequal. Nevertheless, we had won because our war was just - we were defending our Fatherland.
How did you get the news on the NKR independence?
It was not about getting the news because it was our calculated step. After the August putsch, Mutalibov was trying to tame the wave of nationalism which was becoming more extremist. On August 30, 1991 Azerbaijan declared that Azerbaijani state of 1918-1920, which Nagorno Karabakh had never been part of, was being reinstated. Under the circumstances we had to utilize our rights envisaged by the Constitution of the USSR and the Law on Secession from the Union. And we did: on September 2, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh declared independence.
What’s the most critical episode in Artsakh’s twenty-year long existence for you personally?
Liberation of Shushi, of course. Throughout its history Shushi has been and will be the most significant symbol of Artsakh. It used to be one of the most important towns of the Caucasus, one of the most prominent Armenian centers. Azeris are talking about this town constantly. However, it isn’t quite clear why they destroyed and burned on several occasions a town which is allegedly theirs. There is no logic: people do not set their own towns on fire, they do not destroy them. Back in 1960s it was dilapidated. It wasn’t that long ago; we all remember when and how the decision was made to rebuild it.
How would you define stages of formation of the Republic of Artsakh?
Such definition is always very relative. The first stage, undoubtedly, was the struggle. We earned our right to live free in our Fatherland in unequal fight. The second stage was the strengthening of the Artsakhi statehood in peaceful conditions and that stage ended with the adoption of the Constitution in 2006. The third stage is still evolving. I have no doubt that it will be crowned with the international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh.
The importance of a proper assessment of the traveled distance will secure the road still to be covered. Have there been many mistakes? What are the lessons?
Only people who want to shrug off their share of responsibility and put it on the shoulders of others speak much about mistakes. In the end of the twentieth century we were provided with a unique opportunity to redress mistakes of the past, and we didn’t miss the chance. It means that the Armenian people learned lessons of history very well. Thus, it would be more appropriate to speak of the lessons than mistakes. I believe, the great Eghishe Charents gave a precise definition of the lessons we learned: “Oh, Armenian people, your only salvation in your united power.” We will err only when we deviate from that behest.
The Armenian Army is the guarantor of Artsakh’s independence. You, who at the dawn of the statebuilding of two Armenian states were coordinating that area: what’s your assessment of the Armenian Army?
We have ushered into the twenty-first century with the “twin kids”: the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and Defense Army of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, these are our beloved “twins”. They were not created to flutter our national vanity. Twenty years ago we simply didn’t have other choice. However, I am an optimist. The best army is the one whose sheer existence prevents any possibility of the attack. I am certain that durable and long-lasting peace will eventually come to our region. It is important for the peoples.
Today too, the neighboring state is engaged in warmongering. How would you assess the military and political situation in the region?
The military and political situation is complex but controllable. I have said on several occasions that the Armenian troops must be ready for combat at any moment. And that’s the best way to avert war. Saber-rattling of the neighboring state first of all pursues psychological ends. It’s foremost an attempt to divert the attention of the Azerbaijani public from its own internal problems. It’s very easy to blame everything on the external enemy. It is also an attempt to put us under psychological pressure. However they underestimate our resolve.
There are two Armenian Republics at the political arena and our aspiration to live free depends on each of us. Our political and military interests are defended by Armenia; however today the people of Artsakh are concerned with the peaceful resolution of the conflict. When the Artsakhi side can become a full party to the negotiations? It’s been said on many occasions that the last word belongs to the people of Artsakh. Perhaps it would be right to provide us with that opportunity today so that there is no need to make amendments in the future?
Artsakh is a full party to the negotiations even today. Back in 1994, the OSCE Summit in Budapest decided that elected authorities of Nagorno Karabakh must be invited to the Minsk Conference, and the negotiations must be held with the participation of all parties to the conflict, i.e. by the parties which signed the ceasefire agreement. That decision was adopted with the participation of Azerbaijan. Today, Azerbaijan refuses to negotiate with Artsakh, but along with that refusal accepts that eventually it has to negotiate with Artsakh. They are accusing Armenia, trying to lay the blame on us but they admit that the future of Artsakh must be decided by its people.
Artsakh has been reasserting its right for life and existence for the last twenty years. What features of the Artsakhi character allow them to build a democratic state and maintain it?
Our people are the amalgam of independent, entrepreneurial, hardworking individuals. It may surprise many, but I also believe that the Armenians are very law-abiding people. Simply people should get strict guidelines and principles regarding existing laws. In that case they will be the most law-abiding people. There is, however, a distinction, which I believe, it defined mostly by natural and climatic specifics: mountain dwellers – people of Syunik, Aparan, Artsakh are a little more stubborn, particularly when it comes to fighting injustice.
A great panoramic picture of Artsakh – what colors do you see at this point? What colors would you like to see in twenty years?
Peaceful and steadfast, employing its freedom and rights for prosperity. The people of Artsakh have the same right as any nation in the world. The most important among these rights are the rights to live and peacefully on their own land, to raise children in their Motherland, to christen them in the national church and educated them in their native tongue.