Expert: Sargsyan hastens his political demise by threatening Azerbaijan
By Rashid Shirinov
Inadequate and provocative statements made by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan during his recent visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan were quickly replicated and disseminated by the Armenian government and media.
On March 26, Sargsyan, addressing the Armenian soldiers in Nagorno-Karabakh, tried to threaten Azerbaijan by speaking about fictional possibilities of the Armenian armed forces.
Another incomprehensible statement by Sargsyan was that ‘if needed, he will give an order to strike with Iskander missiles’.
It is obvious what these statements by the Armenian president were aimed at. That is a usual behavior for Armenian officials to speak loudly and promisingly. They act so in two cases – if they want to placate the Armenian population or if they need the support of the people.
Sargsyan’s recent statement falls under the second category. Armenia will hold parliamentary elections and the Armenian president is trying to gain sympathy of the Armenian population for his Republican Party in these elections.
Russian expert on international conflicts Evgeniy Mikhailov made remarks on Sargsyan’s statement in Nagorno-Karabakh. He said in an interview with Day.az that ‘Serzh Sargsyan is not quite aware of the realities’.
The expert noted it is impossible to speak about the use of such a powerful weapon as Iskander to defend the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. “Russia, as a guarantor of peace in the Caucasus, will take all measures in order to cool the ardor of the President of Armenia,” the expert noted.
“It is clear that Sargsyan have nothing to do but maneuver between the nationalists and other parties in the run-up to elections. But these statements seem more likely blackmailing the guarantors of security in the region,” Mikhailov said.
The expert also added that for Armenians Iskander is ‘like an expensive toy that they can't control’.
“In any case, combative statements will remain just words. We have to understand that Azerbaijan has no less powerful weapons, and the answer will be tough,” Mikhailov noted.
The expert said that by making such statements Sargsyan hastens his political demise.
Another expert, political scientist Ilgar Velizade also accused Sargsyan in powerlessness and lying.
“Another bravado from Sargsyan, who before the parliamentary elections makes bellicose statements, is demonstration of the impotence of Armenia before the overwhelming superiority of the Azerbaijani army,” Velizade said.
The expert noted that Sargsyan, who is in a state of impotent despair, did not hesitate to admit that civilian objects in the interior of Azerbaijan are targeted by Armenian weapons.
This means that the Armenian leadership tries to threaten peaceful residents of the Azerbaijani villages and towns.
“The Armenian leadership, which lose hope to scare soldiers defending the frontline, is trying to sow fear among the population of Azerbaijan. This is the use of weapons with considerable destructive effect not to suppress the military power of the enemy, but to destroy the civilian population,” Velizade said.
All this reveals the essence of the aggressive policy of the Armenian leadership, who instead of withdrawing its armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani lands and letting Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs return to their homes, continues attempts to threaten Azerbaijani people.
Velizade said it is doubtful that Sargsyan or anyone else in Armenia will dare to use Iskander complexes, which are likely on the balance of the joint Armenian-Russian grouping.
“It is one thing to supply weapons to Armenia, and another to allow to apply it against the state which is considered by Moscow at least as a strategic partner,” the expert noted.
Indeed, the Armenian leader has no understanding of his statements, but he yet needs to realize that continuous threats and provocations towards Azerbaijan promises him and his power no political dividend.
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