South Caucasus

English

Gintaras Visockas. Slaptai.lt foto

By Gintaras Visockas

On 20 October I attended a remotely organized conference: ‘South Caucasus: political – legal aspects after the 2020 autumn war’. This conference, organized by Azerbaijan, was led by Ambassador, professor Namik Aliyev. Political scientists, scientists, journalists from Georgia, Israel, Poland, Moldova, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and author of these lines spoke at the conference. The recording of this conference is available at day.az .

At the conference I criticized Lithuania’s position to everywhere and in all ways indulge Armenia, who for 30 years has occupied Azeri territories (more arguments are available in by collections of articles ‘Tragedy of the Black Garden’ and ‘Case of Black Garden’, published in 2016 and 2021).

Then I received requests from Azerbaijan’s journalists, for example, Jamila Chebotareva, to answer several questions. These are my answers to Azerbaijani journalist Jamila Chebotareva. On 25 October I sent them to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis. On 27 October I received a response from Lithuanian MFA. Here are those answers. They completely contradict my remarks in the article ‘Lithuania’s policy in South Caucasus – disgustingly biased’.

Respectfully
Gintaras Visockas

In which spheres Lithuania and Azerbaijan can successfully cooperate?

We are successfully developing bilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan in many fields. In July 2020, at the sixth sitting of Lithuanian-Azerbaijani inter-governmental bilateral cooperation commission (TVK) the guidelines were drawn for further cooperation in fields of trade, investment, innovation, engineering industry, transport, energy, agriculture and environment protection. Lithuania and Azerbaijan actively cooperate in implementing EU Twinning projects, we already have 12 of them. We are happy about Azeri youth choosing studies in Lithuania. When the pandemic situation allows travelling, we will receive Azeri tourists in Lithuania. Azerbaijan participates in the Eastern Partnership program, further strengthening of ties between Azerbaijan and EU opens opportunities to even closer bilateral cooperation.

How did Lithuania react to the news that in autumn 2020 in 44 days Azerbaijan in a military way reclaimed its lands?

Decades long conflict and the 2020 war have demanded many victims, for which we are sorry, but it has not brought sustainable peace to the region. We see that many unsolved challenges remain. To solve them it is important to restore trust and dialogue. We think that sustainable political solution of the conflict should be achieved with mediation of OSCE Minsk group.

Are Lithuanian informed enough about Karabakh conflict?

It is a long lasting conflict, widely reflected both in Lithuanian and foreign media. Interested persons will really find a lot of information, analyses and other materials about these tragic events.

Does Lithuania respect territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, that is, does Lithuania agree that Karabakh is a territory of Azerbaijan, not Armenia?

The Republic of Lithuania and the European Union recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, they do not recognize Nagorno Karabakh and support a sustainable solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in a way of negotiations, supported by the main principles, set in the United Nations Charter and Helsinki Final Act and with mediation of OSCE Minsk group.

Lithuanian MFA. Slaptai.lt foto

Was it possible to regulate Karabakh conflict in a peaceful way?

As mentioned before, we unambiguously support solving conflicts in negotiations, following principles of international law.

Is it possible that Azeri and Armenian nations would live as friends?

We strongly believe that Azeri and Armenian nations will manage to reconcile and create the future of their people in peace. Since the Second World War the history of Europe provides many examples that it is possible to successfully overcome enmity and join forces for future.

Why, through Eastern Partnership program, Lithuania is drawing Armenia to Europe, while Armenia has allowed a Russian military base, tends to occupy foreign territories, has not condemned terrorist organizations ASALA, Gncak and Dasnakcutiun?

The content and extent of Armenia’s participation in Eastern Partnership program is a sovereign decision of this country. We strongly believe that cooperation of South Caucasian countries with EU opens great opportunities to the region, because EU itself firstly is a project of peace and cohabitation. Regional cooperation is the driving force of economic development and peaceful cohabitation of people.

Did Lithuania act correctly when in 2005 Seimas adopted a resolution on Armenian genocide in 1915? Neither then, when resolution was adopted, nor now, none of Lithuanian historians, political scientists, journalists have studied materials in Turkish, Azeri or Armenian (who does not allow foreigners in) archives.

Having itself experienced years of occupation in 1940-1991, tragic for the state and people, Lithuania understands tragedies that other nations have endured. Seimas resolutions on tragic moments of world history strengthen the aim of international community to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Can Lithuania be called a democratic country, if Lithuanian Academy of Sciences allows Armenian Ambassador and Armenian historians, politicians to hold a discussion on tragic events of 1915, but does not allow the same to Turkish Ambassador and Turkish historians?

The laws of the Republic of Lithuania provide academic freedom to the members of the academic community, the main element of which is the freedom of mind and expression, guaranteed by the Constitution. Lithuanian Academy of Sciences is an independent institution and it could best comment motives of its decisions.

What did Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian recently come to Lithuania for? This politician clearly did not agree to peacefully, in a friendly manner return Karabakh territories to Azerbaijan. In the years of his rule, Armenia shelled Azeri cities of Ganja, Barda, Tartar, which have nothing to do with Karabakh. Tens of civilians were killed, tens of houses destroyed. Has Lithuania expressed condolences to Azerbaijan for these victims, has she condemned such attacks by Yerevan?

This year Lithuania and Armenia mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The visit of the Prime Minister Pashinian of the Republic of Armenia was an important opportunity to evaluate what has been achieved in thirty years in the fields of bilateral relations and draw further prospects of bilateral relations between Lithuania and Armenia, discuss cooperation between EU and Armenia, preparation for 15 December 2021 Eastern Partnership summit.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis. URM nuotr.

The war of Nagorno Karabakh has caused many painful deaths, we are sorry for the losses, every broken life is invaluable. Lithuania and EU have multiple times expressed sincere sympathies both publicly and in meetings with highest leaders.

Why Lithuania, a democratic country, is interested in preserving Armenian heritage in Karabakh and is not interested in what Armenian separatists did to monuments of Azeri culture, history and religion in Karabakh, during their rule?

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are important partners to Lithuania, we are interested in ensuring peace and stability in the region.

In the field of preserving heritage abroad, we prioritize such heritage objects that are important to Lithuanian history and culture, not distinguishing any country.

Source of information – Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department of Communication and cultural diplomacy)

2021.10.28; 04:39

English

Gintaras Visockas. Slaptai.lt foto

By Gintaras Visockas

On 20 October I attended a remotely organized conference: ‘South Caucasus: political – legal aspects after the 2020 autumn war’. This conference, organized by Azerbaijan, was led by Ambassador, professor Namik Aliyev. Political scientists, scientists, journalists from Georgia, Israel, Poland, Moldova, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and author of these lines spoke at the conference. The recording of this conference is available at day.az .

At the conference I criticized Lithuania’s position to everywhere and in all ways indulge Armenia, who for 30 years has occupied Azeri territories (more arguments are available in by collections of articles ‘The Tragedy of Black Garden’ and ‘The Case of Black Garden’, published in 2016 and 2021).

Then I received requests from Azerbaijan’s journalists, for example, Jamila Chebotareva, to answer several questions. These are my answers to Azerbaijani journalist Jamila Chebotareva.

In which spheres Lithuania and Azerbaijan can successfully cooperate?

Our countries could cooperate in many fields – political, economic, cultural. However official Lithuania does not want to be friends with Azerbaijan. Lithuania’s politicians are only searching for ways to establish as many ties as possible with Armenia. Official foreign policy of Lithuania for Southern Caucasus is to strengthen Armenia. Anything else is not important. In my understanding, such stance of official Vilnius is wrong. But I would lie if I hid that Lithuania is allegedly acting objectively. Indulging Armenia is obvious. If Lithuanian leaders fly to South Caucasus, they firstly visit Yerevan. They fly to Baku only to maintain an image that Lithuania is equally just to both Armenians and Azerbaijani.

Algimantas Liekis’ book ‘Moving Nations’

For example, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s wife has already visited Lithuania (she was hosted by Lithuania’s First Lady Diana Nausediene, wife of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda). Mr. Pashinian himself also has visited Vilnius. Wives of Azeri leaders have not been invited to Vilnius. The highest officials of Azerbaijan are also not invited to Vilnius. If Lithuania sends humanitarian aid and vaccines, medical teams to South Caucasus, then it sends them only to Armenia. When the Armenian tragedy of 1915 was once marked at the Lithuanian Genocide and Resistance Centre (LGRC), highest leaders of LGRC attended that event, but when Hocali victims were commemorated at the premises of LGRC, there wasn’t even one head of LGRC there. The last example of cooperation between Vilnius and Yerevan is that Transport Ministers launched direct flights Yerevan-Vilnius-Yerevan.

How did Lithuania react to the news that in autumn 2020 in 44 days Azerbaijan in a military way reclaimed its lands?

Of course, I might have missed something, but it seems to me, most of Lithuanian politicians, political scientists, journalists criticized Azerbaijan for choosing a military way to reclaim Karabakh. The fact that, according to the international law, Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, that official Baku for a very long time already has been patiently waiting for help from the West, but did not get it – all of that was subtly omitted. Armenia was not criticized for having occupied about 20 percent of Azeri lands for almost three decades. That is my impression.

Are Lithuanian informed enough about Karabakh conflict?

Lithuanians do not really know the real history of Karabakh. Many influential Lithuanians are still convinced that Karabakh is Armenian land. Lithuania does not know or does not want to know that in the 1992-1994 war for Karabakh Armenian troops were assisted by Russian military.

It is very complicated to get Lithuanian media to publish anything favourable to Azerbaijan, especially about the conflict for Karabakh. I say this in personal experience. They do not publish. If you ask Lithuanians, what is Dasnaktsutiun, ASALA or Gncak, often a Lithuanian would answer that ‘these are Azeri terrorist organizations’. Really not all Lithuanians know that a Russian military base is still deployed in Armenia, even more, not all know that this year, in the aggressive military drill ‘Zapad’ held by Russia and Belarus by the Lithuanian border, Armenian military instructors too were learning how to occupy Baltic countries. Only on my portal you will find articles which examine the relations of Armenia and Azerbaijan. There have been only a few books published in Lithuania, which present not only Armenian, but also Azeri arguments. These are historian Algimantas Liekis’ book ‘Moving Nations’ and collections of my articles ‘The Tragedy of Black Garden’ and ‘The Case of Black Garden’. That is all.

Does Lithuania respect territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, that is, does Lithuania agree that Karabakh is a territory of Azerbaijan, not Armenia?

The Case of Black Garden

Official policy of Lithuania is correct. We respect Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. But behind the stage it is completely different. I could give a long list of Lithuania, who, ignoring official Baku, have travelled through Armenia to Karabakh and, after returning, would write in Lithuanian media ‘what moral and physical pains poor Armenians suffer, fearing cruel Azeri attacks’. I could recall many television programs, multiple publications in respected Lithuanian media, where discussion participants disputed Azeri right to Karabakh. There isn’t a single line that many Azerbaijani people in the past lived in Karabakh, even Yerevan, who were driven off their homelands. Nothing about suffering of Azeri refugees. Not a single word that Armenia in autumn 2020 insidiously shelled Ganja, Tartar, Barda cities, which have no connection to Karabakh and that civilian Azeri were killed in these attacks. Not a line that during Armenian rule in Karabakh, many cultural, historical and religious Azeri monuments have been destroyed or desecrated. Only worrying that allegedly now Muslim Azeri, entering Karabakh, will destroy Christian cultural and historic monuments.

Was it possible to regulate Karabakh conflict in a peaceful way?

In my understanding, this conflict could have been regulated in a peaceful way only if the US, NATO and EU had acted in a principled manner – strongly demanded Armenian troops to be withdrawn from Karabakh. Then, yes. But for the last three decades the West, for reasons unknown to me, have been obviously indulging Armenia, who had occupied foreign territories. Therefore, Azerbaijan had no other choice. Either Azerbaijan takes by force what belongs to it according to international law, or for another 30 years listens to Western talks about necessity ‘to solve the conflict in a peaceful way’. The West and their toothless negotiation groups are to blame for the fact that in autumn 2020 Azerbaijan was forced to use military measures to take back its lands.

By the way, in past Lithuania was in a very similar situation like Azerbaijan is for Karabakh. I mean the operation of Klaipeda liberation in 1923. Then, instead of listening to Western talks about necessity to peacefully regulate Klaipeda’s fate, Lithuania dressedits soldiers in civil clothes and by force took back the port and drove foreign military away. If not for that military operation, Lithuania would have probably lost Klaipeda forever. Therefore, I find acceptable the remark by famous Russian economist Andrey Ilarionov saying that only very rarely it is possible to peacefully reclaim territories. Efforts to find peaceful ways are most often fruitless. Occupants do not give occupied territories with good will.

Is it possible that Azeri and Armenian nations would live as friends?

It is possible. But Armenia should act in away that Armenian history researcher Philip Ekozyan suggests. Armenia has to refuse falsifications. Armenia needs to look at its history with sober eyes. They need to research without prejudice not only their own archives, but also allow in historians, researchers from other countries. Then the worth of myths about ‘the great Armenia from sea to sea’ will be clearer.

But it is not that easy to look at history honestly. Even Lithuania is not always successful in honest analysis of historic events. In 2005 Lithuanian Seimas adopted a special resolution ‘on Armenian genocide in tragic year 1915’. In my opinion it was a very wrong step by official Vilnius. Then, when the resolution was adopted, none of Lithuanian historians, political scientists, journalists not for a moment had gone to archives of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia (who still does not accept foreigners). It is impossible to understand how such statements can be made without analysing primary sources.

The Tragedy of Black Garden

I am also ashamed by another Lithuanian step. It took place in 2019. At the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Armenians organized a discussion on the 1915 tragedy. Heads of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences acted correctly by allowing in Lithuanian politicians, historians, representatives of Armenian community. But the Academy betrayed principles of democracy and morality, when did not allow into the same hall the Turkish Ambassador and Turkish historians to discuss the same 1915. Armenians are welcome, Turks were shown the door.

I thought that after this slap in the face Turkey would recall itsambassador, stating that from now on Turkish jets would not be protecting Lithuanian air space anymore. But thanks for it, official stance of Turkey remained solid.

Thus, these are my pessimistic answers.

Editorial note

I sent the questions of Azeri journalist Jamila Chebotareva to the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis and head of Seimas Committee for Foreign Affairs Zygimantas Pavilionis.

We will publish the response if they answer.

2021.10.29; 04:22

English

Gabrielius Landsbergis. Foto by Dainiaus Labutis (ELTA)

Gintaras Visockas

Now, after the visit of the Lithuanian Minister G. Landsbergis to the South Caucasus, several cautious observations can be made. Undoubtedly, the visit was important. As many as three countries were visited: Armenia, Sakartvelo (Georgia) and Azerbaijan. No mistakes? The following information was published on the official website of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: „Minister G.Landsbergis: we believe that Armenia will remain on the path of democratic reforms”, „Lithuanian grove” inaugurated in Armenia”, „Minister G.Landsbergis: I call all Sakatrvelo political forces to focus on reforms” and  „Minister G.Landsbergis: Lithuania is interested in closer relations between the EU and Azerbaijan”.

All the intentions are solid, hopeful, meaningful, commendable. Not the slightest reproach. Who could be outraged by calls to remain democratic, to implement reforms, to work more seriously with Europe?

There is only one suspicion – why the Lithuanian Minister’s trips to the South Caucasus were organized at the end of April – at a time when Armenia is commemorating the tragic events of 1915? There are suspicions that in such a subtle manner, official Vilnius has expressed special support for Armenia and at the same time hoped not to irritate Turkey, the NATO ally. But no matter how you will try to hide a stitching awl, it will come out of the bag. At the end of April Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mantas Adomėnas paid an official visit to Yerevan. He came to Yerevan not to rest. The official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania states: „Deputy Minister M.Adomėnas participated in the commemoration of the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide”. There are many photos in the public space showing how Deputy Minister M.Adomėnas puts a wreath at the monument. Let us also remember that G. Landsbergis’ visit to the South Caucasus started from Armenia, that G. Landsbergis started to plant a „Lithuanian grove” in the Lori region of Armenia – and we will have a detailed picture of the most important Lithuanian accents.

Mantas Adomėnas. Foto by Dainius Labutis (ELTA)

Of course, one can also remember that at the end of April, even the new US President Joe Biden named the tragic events of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire as an „Armenian genocide”. Lithuania is just stepping on the path of its ally America.  As if it has no other choice.

And yet the truth should be the most important, even more important than the political intrigues. Lithuania is small, weak. Unlike the big, powerful countries, it does not have the privilege of doing wrong – to suppress the truth in the name of political interests. If we do not seek truth and justice everywhere and always, we will not be able to demand truth and justice from others if we get into trouble ourselves.

And the truth is this: „Neither the President of the United States, nor the American Congress, nor Yerevan have a legal basis for calling 1915 a genocide.” These are not my words. This is according to Bruce Fein, an expert on US constitutional and international law, former adviser to US President Ronald Reagan.

Slaptai.lt publishes the Lithuanian translation of an interview of this US lawyer given to one American television.

„Neither the US President, nor the American Congress, nor Yerevan have a legal basis to call 1915 genocide”

Bruce Fein, a lawyer who specializes in constitutional and international law, is being interviewed.

Although the U.S. Congress already recognizes the events of 1915 as a genocide, why is it important that President Joe Biden also made that public? Will there be any legal consequences?

Bruce Fein, former legal adviser to US President Ronald Reagan

No, it has no legal significance. This is a political statement. Biden, the Congress, and Armenians have no legal basis for calling 1915 a genocide. Article 9 of the Genocide Convention, which entered into force in 1951, 70 years ago, states that any dispute concerning the existence of a genocide must be referred to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. For 70 years Armenians have had the opportunity to bring their charges to the Hague tribunal – an organization that is not politicized and does not accept political gifts. 70 years of silence on the Armenian side. Legally there is no basis for such a case, they used political gifts and political power to obtain political statements. I have no doubt that Mr. Biden did not really undertake any serious legal investigation into what the Genocide Convention means, what elements include a case of a genocide, and what happened in 1915. Has he ever read a decision of the European Court of Human Rights stating that the Armenian genocide was never confirmed, that the events of 1915 were never anywhere confirmed as genocide.

I think it would have been wise for Mr. Biden to call on Armenia to exercise its right to the Article 9. The International Court of Justice has waited for 70 years for Armenia to go to court with its arguments. Unfortunately, we know that politicians are motivated by political motives, but they are not motivated to find out historical facts. This, unfortunately, is a constant politicization that will move this matter away from decision. Genocide is named as the most heinous crime, so why does official Yerevan not hand over the material it has to the International Court of Justice? 70 years is a long enough time to make your own claims. Another matter that is no less important, Justin McCarthy has asked Armenia: why do you keep your archives closed? If you have a case that requires archives for evidence, why do you keep it closed? Biden’s obvious hypocrisy is also obvious when he says there is a case of genocide on the one hand, but on the other hand, Armenia and Turkey should meet and resolve the disagreements. But he has already settled the case before they meet! He has already said he is on the Armenian side. Why should Armenia give away what Biden has already given her?

You have written several articles on this topic. What is your personal opinion on the 1915 events?

Firstly, I believe that we cannot fully apply the elements of genocide described in the Genocide Convention to the actions that took place before the Convention was formulated. Even the term genocide did not appear in the common language until 1943. Thus, the law on genocide cannot be applied retroactively to 1915.

Secondly, it is also impossible to prove that the Turkish state at that time wanted to destroy part or all the Armenians because they were the Armenians. Let us take advantage of the Armenian statements they made at the Paris Peace Conference on 26 February 1919. There the Armenians kept repeating: in the wake of the war the sultan offered us the autonomy in exchange for a loyalty; we rejected it, we became fighters and enemies of Turkey. These Armenians were Ottoman citizens, so basically, they have chosen betrayal. They described themselves at the Paris Peace Conference as fighters. They stated at the conference that the number of perished Ottoman Turks equaled to the number of perished Ottoman Armenians. War is hell – our famous General William Tecumseh Sherman said. This was not the case with Jews and the Holocaust. No Nazi died in Auschwitz. Here, however, both sides suffered a terrible war. I believe there is a great resemblance to our own civil war against the confederate states of America. The southern states wanted to separate, although they did not have that right. They shelled Fort Sumter. A terrible civil war started. Hundreds of thousands were killed, but no one offered to name it genocide. They pursued the political goal – independence. The war broke out and the South lost. Southerners were immediately accused of treason, and the union was not accused of genocide.

The Ottoman Armenians sought the same separation from the Ottomans as the confederate states, believing that they would gain independence after the war. Their aspiration was not successful, the Paris Peace Conference did not give them independence, but that was their goal. Therefore, I do not believe, based on the Armenian arguments, that there is evidence that the Turks intended to destroy the Armenians because they were Armenians. The massacre was because Armenians united with Turkish enemies during the war, their aspiration was a political independence. When the genocide convention was being drafted, the destruction of the group because of its political approach was considered as a forbidden category, but it was rejected. This means that massacres (I am not saying there were no other violations of the law) for political purposes, such as independence, are clearly not genocide.

So, what are Turkey’s options, how it should continue to act and respond legally?

I believe that there is a possibility that Turkey could immediately go to the International Court of Justice on Article 9 itself, saying that we are offended by false accusations of genocide, and present excusing arguments. Armenia did have a chance to file its case that it was genocide. In that case, we would have already had a legally resolved issue that could be removed from politics.

Bruce Fein, former legal adviser to US President Ronald Reagan, and US President Joe Biden

It is clear that Armenians are well adapted to maneuver in the American political system. Tilt politicians to their side with gifts and other means. If you stay in the political atmosphere, without an impartial tribunal Turkey’s chances are very slim. This can be corrected. I work with a group in the United States called the Turkish Anti-defamation Alliance. It is trying to create an educational program about what the genocide law is, what the Armenian accusations are. To present a case that is systematic, rejecting weak arguments, such as: Armenians were slaughtered because they are Armenians, and rejecting the fact that they were enemies seeking political independence.

The reason for trusting going to court, is the nearest tribunal that has ruled on this issue – the European Court of Human Rights, of which Armenia is a member and Turkey is not. The court said there was never a proven Armenian genocide. This is a historical issue that cannot be answered definitively. And that’s what I suggest you consider. It has been in the political space for too long. These issues of genocide must be dealt by the international court of justice, not in the corridors of politics, because there are always hidden motives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRqZVqoj_nM

Slaptai.lt editorial note

What will Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Mantas Adomėnas answer to these arguments of Bruce Fein? Maybe these arguments are unknown to M.Adomėnas? How will Lithuanian Minister G. Landsbergis behave if Turkey refuses to protect the air space of the Baltic States with its fighter jets after M. Adomėnas’ voyage, to send its troops to defend the Baltic States from a possible Russian invasion?

2021.05.03; 00:01