The threat posed by maps
Article 142 of the NKR Constitution envisages that the state carries out public authority in territories which are de facto under the jurisdiction of the given country. However, the provision is occasionally neglected by Armenian companies and agencies.
Information security expert Vahram Mirakyan says the approach stems from the lack of information and ideological politics, which according to the expert, may have a negative impact on the psychology of soldiers serving in combat positions.
"For example, a soldier serving in Kashatagh or Akna, can find out the areas are included in the territory of Azerbaijan on the map. He may immediately pose a logical question: am I protecting an Azeri territory?" Mirakyan told A1+. "A soldier always serves better when he definitely knows the purpose of his mission."
He says some companies, including Ardshininvestbank CJSC (Bank for Industry, Construction and Investment Closed Joint-Stock Company), Unona-tour, Arca, the Football Federation of Armenia, pro-government newspaper Republic of Armenia, use maps with incorrect borders on their websites.
The list also includes the website of Karabakh Telecom CJSC which posted a non-existent map of Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region.
Vahram Mirakyan does not accept the terms "liberated territories" and "security zone" which are largely circulated in media outlets. He thinks the terms can be acceptable in military terminology but not by public.
"When they say "liberated territories," they put an artificial difference between the territories of Artsakh. Actually, the whole territory of Arsakh is liberated, starting from Karvachar, Akna and ending with Kovsakan [Zəngilan]," he said.
Information security expert says there is no need to differentiate between Armenia and Artsakh as Artsakh was and still remains the strongest province of Armenia. The two should be taken collectively as wholeness and not as separate political units.
