“Armenian pleas to the so-called ‘international community’ are futile, mere expressions of ‘crying,’ as there is only one way to safeguard Armenian cultural monuments — the re-liberation of ‘Artsakh,'” declared Vardan Oskanian, our long-standing but not-so-friendly acquaintance. His statement is rich in humour and pathos; the phrase “sacred territories of Armenia” alone is quite telling.
In my view, if Oskanian wanted to add an emotional flair to his proclamations, he might consider reciting them with drumbeats, occasionally tearing his shirt, and adopting a fervent patriotic expression. While we wouldn’t be intimidated by such theatrics, at least it would provide some entertainment beyond his dramatic lamentations. However, it must be acknowledged that Oskanian’s comment about the ineffectiveness of Armenian appeals to the “international community” holds some truth. Indeed, these cries for help are largely ignored, and the “international community” seems increasingly fed up with the sobbing and wailing.
Nonetheless, certain factions in both the West and the East continue to arm Armenia. This raises a question: if your Prime Minister is constantly advocating for peace, why the need for these weapons? I’ll delve into this issue in more detail shortly, but first, let me reiterate a point already made on our site.
A division of 12 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers (or SAU)has been delivered to Armenia. To put this into perspective, at the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the French army had only 76 CAESAR units. Along with these, the Armenian military received a substantial arsenal, including dozens of R511 and R530 air-to-air missiles, 30 ERYX anti-tank missiles, numerous German-made DM32 grenade launchers (also known as “bunkerfaust”), and Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank systems. Additionally, the Armenian armed forces were equipped with around 500 French-made Apilas disposable hand grenades and 50 American BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile systems.
This influx of weaponry raises some concerns, particularly regarding how these new additions will fit into our “Trophy Park’. While there is ample space for these items, expanding the park comes with financial considerations. However, we are committed to investing in this project because it serves both aesthetic and educational purposes. In fact, the “Trophy Park” was designed with future expansion in mind and is part of the city’s development plan. We will offer tours for the younger generation to foster a sense of pride and ensure that these historical artefacts are remembered.
Certainly, I acknowledge that some of Armenia’s neighbours may seek to bolster their sense of national identity and self-worth through actions aimed at harming Azerbaijanis. However, the situation has evolved, and such aggressive actions will no longer be tolerated. We reserve the right to take preventive measures as needed, and I must stress that Armenia may not find these measures to their liking.
As the saying goes, “comrades do not understand” that any offensive weaponry acquired by Armenia becomes a legitimate target for Azerbaijani forces. If, one morning — sooner than Armenia might expect — we determine that weapons like the R511 and R530 air-to-air missiles, or a division of SAUs, pose a threat to us, the consequences for the operators of such systems could be dire.
Thus, Armenia should consider whether investing in costly weaponry is worth it, knowing that such equipment may either be destroyed in the near future or end up as trophies in our possession. Personally, as someone with a pragmatic approach to resource management, I would certainly prefer the latter outcome.
It seems clear that Armenia might face serious trouble if it heeded the advice of foreign entities that have no real interest in regional stability. Therefore, my sincere advice is to avoid making hasty decisions, as these could lead to significant and far-reaching consequences. Nevertheless, if Armenia chooses to persist in its current course, it should be prepared for the potential ramifications of its actions.
Additionally, we have not forgotten Iran’s support for Armenia, and we expect that there will be no complaints or grievances directed towards us in the future.
Mahmud Shnir
Caliber.Az
