Linz/Salzburg, January 23, 2024 (KAP) The Archbishop of Salzburg, Franz Lackner, called for greater help for Armenians expelled from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). In the current issue of the magazine “Information Christian Orient” Lackner is once again shocked by the expulsion of the Armenians from Karabakh by Azerbaijan. In addition to the expulsion of people, Artsakh's Christian heritage is also now on the verge of extinction. “Churches and cemeteries are now, so to speak, the last witnesses of the Armenian Christian presence; its continued existence is now uncertain,” Lackner writes in his welcome speech.
And the archbishop further states: “Armenia now needs a variety of help and support. Not only must the 110,000 people displaced from Artsakh be offered a new existence, but there is also great concern that Azerbaijan could close a corridor to the Nakhichevan enclave in another move. Of war .”
Furthermore, it should be the concern of all Christians “not to let the legacy of Artsakh and its history, which dates back to the early days of the spread of the faith, become a mere memory, but rather to use all available means to resolutely defend the its preservation.” There is also a need for a “just and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan”.
Strong criticism of Russia
The current situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh is the main topic of the January issue of ICO magazine. The Armenian Apostolic Bishop of Vienna Tiran Petrosyan, among other things, also expresses strong criticism of the international community of states and Russia.
On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan attacked the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh with superior military means. After just one day, the war was decided. Around 300 Armenian soldiers were killed and there were also civilian casualties. The attack was preceded by a total blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan that lasted around nine months. More than 110,000 Armenians were forced to flee their homes overnight in September 2023, leaving around 5,000 church properties and artistic treasures unprotected. Petrosyan told ICO magazine that he was convinced: “This was a joint action by Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia that had been prepared for a long time.” The weapons of Armenian soldiers from Nagorno-Karabakh are now being used by Russia against Ukraine.
Petrosyan sees the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, Nagorno-Karabakh's only link to the outside world, imposed in December 2022, as a prelude to the military assault in September 2023 and the surrender of the Artsakh government immediately thereafter. Russian peacekeepers were at the scene. The Russians had options to supply the trapped Armenians, but they acted as “bystanders” rather than “peacekeepers” when Azerbaijani troops attacked.
But the passivity of international organizations also disappointed him, the bishop said. The UN and OSCE made “just empty statements”, such as suggesting a return to the negotiating table, but did not use their mandates to prevent conflicts. “This emboldens attackers because they go unpunished.” In addition to humanitarian aid, those affected felt “abandoned”. Today it is regrettable to say: “Cooperation and security no longer exist in Europe”.
The approximately 110,000 displaced people were welcomed by the Republic of Armenia. Bishop Petrosyan praises his compatriots' commitment to the numerous refugees. “There is not a single refugee camp.” Monasteries, churches and individuals would welcome entire families. The Armenian diaspora also provides strong support. The bishop is also particularly grateful for many other “actions of solidarity” and also refers to the Austrian Bishops' Conference, which invited him to its most recent autumn general assembly to report on the current situation.
Unrealistic refugee return
The bishop dramatically describes the sad fate of the Karabakh Armenians. After the Azerbaijani attack, they had two options: “Die or flee.” The bishop believes that it is not realistic for refugees to return to their homeland. It refers, among other things, to Azerbaijan's demand that people first accept Azerbaijani citizenship.
Expecting Karabakh Armenians to accept Azerbaijani citizenship and fight the Armenians in an emergency is a crazy idea. The fact that Artsakh was assigned to the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan during the Soviet era dates back to Josef Stalin. “Nakhichevan and Nagorno-Karabakh were gifts from Stalin to Azerbaijan,” said Bishop Petrosyan. There is a risk that Christian and Armenian traces will be erased.