A few days ago Commonspace.eu published an interview with retired Russian diplomat Vladimir Kazimirov, and a comment on the interview by Dennis Sammut, a long standing commentator on the Karabakh conflict and peace process. Today we publish another opinion piece by Vladimir Kazimirov, in response to Dennis Sammut's blog.
Dear Mr. Dennis Sammut,
I attentively read and re-read your comments to my responses to the questions of ArmInfo News Agency correspondent Mr. David Stepanyan.
First I’ll remind the essence of those questions and answers. They mainly related to the harmfulness of propaganda by the sides in terms of resolution of Karabakh conflict. Naturally, the Armenian correspondent was asking more about Azerbaijani propaganda. He is right, as key distortions of information about the conflict and resolution process originate in Baku. This does not mean that Armenian propaganda is sacred; however, there is a very essential difference. Armenian propagandists commit inaccuracies as well, but the leadership of Armenian sides is much more accurate in these issues, whereas the Azerbaijani leaders up to the very top (meaning even themselves) everywhere resort to using false theses, reiterate them and thus raise them to the rank of lies. The examples have been brought by me on a number of occasions.
Now, in your comments you do not touch upon the essence of those questions and my answers at all. You are rather busy with the “tonality” of my words, which, as you put it, is unprecedented for a diplomat. To remind, I quitted diplomatic service nearly 12 years ago, which somehow entitles me to express myself not necessarily by hints, in the spirit of sham political correctness, which will not be deciphered by many of those to whom I’d like to address my assessments and propositions.
The right to call a spade, a spade is probably one of the most valuable human rights. Especially when we speak about such substance, as concoctions and distortions, as lies of multiple use, especially in a conflict situation. Think yourself: you are not shocked at how they zombify their own nation and try to bewilder the international community. That is the reason you are not touching the basic subject of those questions and answers, that you are “ashamed” to criticize the clumsy liars even suavely. In your comments there is not even a shadow of at least a general discussion of the harmful propaganda. Let them go on! Moreover, you call for political correctness in relation to those who are doing that. But did you choose the right people to display such touching care to?
Now, where is the political correctness, which is so important for you, when you call my answers “Russian Outrage”? (But what does the Russian nation have to do with it - attribute the “outrage” to me, and not to the entire nation). It has been a long time that you keep an article named Russia’s Cynical Proposition in the UN on commonspace web-site. That means political correctness is not needed in relation to Russia.
You have not participated in talks around Karabakh, but you are familiar with this conflict for a long time. But if you did participate, then you would have rejected display of indifference to 1) calls to resume hostilities, or mass blood-shedding 2) unwillingness to implement obligations, officially taken in the signed documents 3) using of lies, hindering search of peace.
In all the three lines, Baku is a doubtless leader.
You are writing that “there is no love lost between Azerbaijan and Kazimirov”. Such wording cannot be perceived seriously. It is absolutely obvious that my discrepancies are not with Azerbaijan in general (the honor would be too big!), but with the course if its ruling elite. And it is not a synonym of the words “Azerbaijani nation”. These people have become victims of a number of errors of their leaders, but the authorities are concealing this rigorously.
In my interview to ArmInfo I did not uncover or hide any secrets. I was speaking there of facts that are commonly known due to documents, published long time ago, but that were deliberately distorted mainly by the same side of the conflict.
You are guessing what can or cannot be truth in my words?! And immediately cast a shadow on everything what I said with that trick. Then take a chance to challenge anything specific, well, at least one of the examples of lies which I brought. In my answers to D.Stepanyan I was speaking very specifically about the “untruths” of Baku propaganda.
Once you are worried not about what Kazimirov says, but about what he does not say and why, then it is time to specify – exactly what. Otherwise, you with your wily onion peel offer your readers an abstract conundrum about nothing. In discussions, it is better to be more matter-of-fact and understandable to people.
I am not sure you will dare publish this response to your comments, but I leave this entirely to your discretion – may your conscience decide.
With kindest wishes, in particular- those of being specific and not abstract in your comments,
V.Kazimirov
Ambassador retired
6 October 2011
Read Vladimir Kazimirov's original interview here
Read Dennis Sammut's blog here
(c) commonspace.eu
