"WE KNOW WHEN WE SHOULD USE AND SAVE BULLETS"
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
07 Aug 2006
The defense ministry of Azerbaijan announces that the Karabakh
party often breaks the cease-fire in different parts of the front
line. Are these statements true and what is the purpose of Baku for
circulating these rumors? We asked Major-General Samvel Karapetian,
First Vice Commander of the Defense Army, to answer these and
other questions. Mr. Vice Commander, what is the situation at the
Karabakh-Azerbaijani front line? Samvel Karapetian: The situation
continues to be stable at the front line. Our force on sentry duty
fulfills its task in accordance with the bylaws and does everything
to guarantee the security of our country. The Azerbaijani side often
accuses the Karabakh border guards of breaking the cease-fire. What
would you say in this connection?
Samvel Karapetian: I would say it is misinformation. Yes, there are
cases of violation of the cease-fire but the Azerbaijanis should
look for the cause among themselves. For us, we know when we should
use and save bullets. The Karabakh party upholds peace and I wish
our potential foe also upheld it. We speak about peace and at the
same time we build a powerful fortification. Does this mean that we
contradict ourselves? Samvel Karapetian: Absolutely no. We take every
step considering the political military situation in the region. Let
us not mix up cease-fire with peace. The resumption of war is highly
probably and we have but become stronger and more powerful. They say if
you want peace, get ready for war. As a person in charge of the front
line of the army, how do you assess the border installations? Samvel
Karapetian: Highly effective.
But this does not mean that there is nothing else to do. The
construction of the fortification began immediately after the
truce. However, this process became better coordinated in 2000, and
continues. It is very important that we know what we want to do and
how. And what do we want? Samvel Karapetian: We want to have defense,
which could resist all kinds of strikes, by air, artillery, tanks or
landing. The army command calls the fortification a defense shield,
which must guarantee the security of the soldier at the front line
to stand up and fight against the attack of the foe without fear
and defend the defense line. Considering the volume and quality
of this work, I can state that the country has effective border
installations, which will be improved further on. Is this the reason
why no significant incidents were reported at the borderline this
year? Samvel Karapetian: Not only that. I would like to emphasize first
of all the discretion of the personnel, the organizational ability
and responsibility of the officers and soldiers. Entrenchment and
fortification are only means of defense, and it depends on knowledge
and training of the soldier how to use them. This enabled to avoid
incidents, which often occur during the sniper war waged by the foe,
the hard climate and geography. I am hopeful that our soldiers will
go on to display conscious approach to the problem and will fulfill
the important duty of defense of the homeland.
The Goyamart.
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
07 Aug 2006
The defense ministry of Azerbaijan announces that the Karabakh
party often breaks the cease-fire in different parts of the front
line. Are these statements true and what is the purpose of Baku for
circulating these rumors? We asked Major-General Samvel Karapetian,
First Vice Commander of the Defense Army, to answer these and
other questions. Mr. Vice Commander, what is the situation at the
Karabakh-Azerbaijani front line? Samvel Karapetian: The situation
continues to be stable at the front line. Our force on sentry duty
fulfills its task in accordance with the bylaws and does everything
to guarantee the security of our country. The Azerbaijani side often
accuses the Karabakh border guards of breaking the cease-fire. What
would you say in this connection?
Samvel Karapetian: I would say it is misinformation. Yes, there are
cases of violation of the cease-fire but the Azerbaijanis should
look for the cause among themselves. For us, we know when we should
use and save bullets. The Karabakh party upholds peace and I wish
our potential foe also upheld it. We speak about peace and at the
same time we build a powerful fortification. Does this mean that we
contradict ourselves? Samvel Karapetian: Absolutely no. We take every
step considering the political military situation in the region. Let
us not mix up cease-fire with peace. The resumption of war is highly
probably and we have but become stronger and more powerful. They say if
you want peace, get ready for war. As a person in charge of the front
line of the army, how do you assess the border installations? Samvel
Karapetian: Highly effective.
But this does not mean that there is nothing else to do. The
construction of the fortification began immediately after the
truce. However, this process became better coordinated in 2000, and
continues. It is very important that we know what we want to do and
how. And what do we want? Samvel Karapetian: We want to have defense,
which could resist all kinds of strikes, by air, artillery, tanks or
landing. The army command calls the fortification a defense shield,
which must guarantee the security of the soldier at the front line
to stand up and fight against the attack of the foe without fear
and defend the defense line. Considering the volume and quality
of this work, I can state that the country has effective border
installations, which will be improved further on. Is this the reason
why no significant incidents were reported at the borderline this
year? Samvel Karapetian: Not only that. I would like to emphasize first
of all the discretion of the personnel, the organizational ability
and responsibility of the officers and soldiers. Entrenchment and
fortification are only means of defense, and it depends on knowledge
and training of the soldier how to use them. This enabled to avoid
incidents, which often occur during the sniper war waged by the foe,
the hard climate and geography. I am hopeful that our soldiers will
go on to display conscious approach to the problem and will fulfill
the important duty of defense of the homeland.
The Goyamart.