Presidential order imposed state of emergency near Karabakh?

By Kamal Ali

Military expert Uzeyir Cafarov has commented for ANN.Az on a recent presidential decree to step up security of the regions close to the Azerbaijani-Armenian ceasefire line.

- Some local media said the presidential decree was meant to impose a state of emergency in areas close to the ceasefire line. Do you agree?

-  The decree once again reminded our government agencies of the need to beef up security measures along the ceasefire line. What is new in the decree is that the existing laws on state secrets and on strengthening defense measures in areas close to the ceasefire line will be amended. The cabinet of ministers was ordered to come up with changes and amendments to the laws within three months. 

A lot has changed in Azerbaijan since the laws were adopted. Online media and social networking websites have emerged. The Ministry of Defense was instructed by the presidential decree to step up the work of its press service. During the latest upsurge of tensions along the ceasefire line in August, the press service was not prompt in responding media queries. As a result, our journalists used unconfirmed reports and even information circulated by Armenian media.  

I think I can name specific journalists and media organizations that violated the law on state secrets during the upsurge of tensions. These people and organizations need to be brought to book. In August, some Azerbaijani media, influenced by the Armenian propaganda machine, claimed that three Armenian villages were evacuated because of security concerns. In fact, our army does not pose any threat to the peaceful population on the other side of the border or the frontline.   

The president suggested that the Press Council carry out more active information work with media and ordinary residents of Azerbaijan. I think the presidential decree will make our lazy officials to realize that we have our territory under Armenian occupation and we cannot afford to lose in the information war against the enemy.

- The president also decreed to establish detachments comprising local civilians.

- There is nothing bad in the decree for the local population. Detachments of local residents/volunteers will be established in areas close to the frontline. This is a good opportunity for the local population to help the army. They know their neighborhoods better than anyone else. Hundreds of people living in areas close to the ceasefire line had earlier said they were ready to assist the army. The presidential decree also creates an opportunity for army commanders to organize their work with the local population. In the past, the commanders did not have the right to allow locals closer enter closed military areas. 

- One of the members of parliament proposed to increase the minimum age for recruitment to the army. Do you like the idea? 

- Yes, I do. The minimum recruitment age need needs to be increased to 20, or at least to 19, from 18. This should have been done long ago. The minimum recruitment age in Turkey is 20. It is 19 in many countries of the world. 

An 18-year-old boy, who fails university exams, is not ready for difficult military service. He is inferior to his 28 or 35-year-old fellow soldiers both psychologically and physically.  

Bakudaily.Az