Azerbaijan Should Draw Lessons from UN Vote on Srebrenica

Russia last week vetoed a UN Security Council resolution recognizing the genocide of Bosnian Muslims at Srebrenica. The draft resolution was proposed by the United Kingdom on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre.

The Srebrenica enclave declared “security zone” by the UN Security Council in April 1993 was taken by the Bosnian Serb army 11 July 1995. Then Serb armed units made organized mass executions of captured civilian Muslims (men and boys aged 10 to 65 years). They lasted for several days in many places in the vicinity of Srebrenica. About 8,000 people were killed.

Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Vitaly Churkin explained Moscow's position that the adoption of the resolution could complicate the situation in the Balkans.

During the discussions, the resolution was supported by 10 of 15 members of the UN Security Council, 4 more states abstained and only Russia voted against.

In Azerbaijan, Russia's position has caused mixed reactions and recalled the non-recognition of the Khojaly genocide by Moscow.

Thus, Russia has recognized the "Armenian genocide" - the events of a century ago in the Ottoman Empire, but at the same time, Moscow has not recognized the massacres in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly in 1992 in Nagorno-Karabakh and vetoed the resolution on Srebrenica.

"The Russian government will not recognize the event as genocide, in which itself is involved indirectly. It's clear that the genocide in Khojaly was committed not only by Armenians. If not for the support by the ruling and military circles of Russia, Armenia could not have committed this heinous crime," said the head of the Center for National Thought Isa Gambar.

According to him, the Azerbaijani authorities instead of meaningless, irrelevant and unreasoned attacks on the West, had better give a principled assessment of Russia's aggressive policy against Azerbaijan and regional issues.

That would support the truth and would serve the interests of Azerbaijan.

Deputy Executive Secretary of the ruling party New Azerbaijan Siyavush Novruzov called Russia's position on the "Armenian genocide" a "clear business". "Russia is Armenia's strategic ally. Armenia is a a member of CSTO, the Common Customs Union, and the Eurasian Union. Armenia fulfills all Russian conditions," said Novruzov.

At the same time, he pointed to the significant expansion of relations between Russia and Turkey.

"The relations between Turkey and Russia get closer and warmer. And it's obvious. They discuss "the Turkish Stream" and other projects," said Novruzov.

He also did not rule out that Russia will once recognize the Khojaly tragedy as "genocide."

"Work in this direction is underway. Today, it is not recognized (the genocide), but we believe that in the future it will be. However, there are certain questions. In this (the seizure of Khojaly) there was 366-1 Regiment. It belonged to the Soviet Army. However, Russia declared itself the successor to the Soviet Union. This fact should not be overlooked.

The participation of the 366th regiment in the genocide in Khojaly has been proved. This genocide was attended by Russian citizens. Most of them are alive today, maybe even hold certain positions and serve in the army," said Novruzov.

Board member of the movement REAL Azer Gasimli considers that Azerbaijan should draw lessons from the voting in the UN Security Council on Srebrenica.

"Azerbaijan must learn lessons from these events and should find friendly countries on the Karabakh issue to ensure its national security. These friends may be the Western states. Azerbaijan should try to become their friend.

If these countries see us as a friend and include us in their safety zone, then they will know better the Khojaly tragedy and the violated rights of Azerbaijanis in Karabakh. Our foreign policy should work in this direction," said Gasimli.

However, he drew attention to the fact that the US and Europe recognize the mass killings of Muslims in Srebrenica, and Russia denies it.

"Russia sees the West not as a partner, but as a rival. In recent years, Russia even considers the West as an enemy.

If Azerbaijan wants justice, it should look for friends," said Gasimli.

He considers erroneous and unreasonable to accuse the West of "double standards".

"I would say that this opinion is arising out of not understanding the current international security system," said Gasimli. -03B-