Defeatism is caused by contempt for Constitution - opinion (video)
Intelligentsia and people of Karabakh will never reconcile themselves to the idea of territorial concession. “History shows that by ceding lands we only endanger our country and reach a state of war,” says Vahan Badasyan. “It is wrong to deceive people that we shall be much safer afterwards,” Vachagan Zakaryan said, adding, “If we cede five regions, another region becomes frontline.” People in Karabakh do not believe Azerbaijan’s assurances of peace; it is impossible to satisfy their appetite. They are trying to change the quality of a fighting Armenian with the help of Serzh Sargsyan, they are trying to threaten us by war,” said freedom fighter Mher Petrosyan. Avetik Ishkhanyan, a human rights activist from Armenia,says the roots of the problem started 22 years ago when talks began about concessions immediately after the ceasefire. “If one of the sides speaks about concessions, while the other excludes concessions, you begin to feel defeated psychologically,” he says. Nerses Ohanjanyan from Martakert says he is against the current language of negotiations; it is the language of defeat. “These territories are important for three reasons. First, those are our historical territories, where we have historical and cultural heritage. Second, our sons shed their blood on them, and finally, they are the guarantee of our security,” he said. Artur Khachatryan says the problem lies elsewhere; the authorities are trying to puddle compromise and concession, whereas there is no talk about compromise. Speaking about a possible solution, Vachagan Sargsyn said a new government should be formed in Armenia and in Karabakh. Margarita Karamyan, a participant of the Artsakh war, says defeatism is caused by contempt for the Constitution. “Why did Armenia transfer part of its sovereignty to Russia? The reason is that the authorities did not comply with the Constitution,” she said. Those participating in a special meeting in Shushi are going to adopt a declaration which considers surrender of territories treason and calls for fresh talks.
