The rift 14-15 July

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- Arastun bey, was it a spontaneous event that people took to the streets on July 14 to support the army due to the fighting on the front line, or was there an organization and redirection behind it?

- I am pretty sure that this was a spontaneous event, and people took to the streets with a desire to express their support for the army, the state, and each other. Unfortunately, as it always has been, there were those who questioned the spontaneity of the action this time, and those who did so had different motives. Because some have lost the faith of their people in the determination to fight as a result of the harmful effects of many years of official propaganda, they could not even accept the possibility of such an event from a theoretical point of view; others have come to the conclusion that such an event is a "game" in order to effectively evade their individual civic responsibilities. Of course, there are those who do this in order to appear more knowledgeable and intelligent and also to call the will and power of the people into question. My explanation is very simple: Azerbaijanis are tired of being oppressed, and now they think that it is necessary to try to be in a winning position. For this reason, people, who were silent about the current socio-economic problems, severe quarantine conditions, injustice, unfairness in the country, stood up against the threat to their country. This is understandable because the only thing a person can lose is his pride if he has lost his property, his job, his rights, his freedom, and finally a piece of bread. Land, Motherland is also a source of pride for people. There is a simple reason for this.

- There are opinions that during the quarantine period when people were not allowed to go out of their homes, many people gathered and marched with the consent and secret organization of the government. Do you think it makes sense?

- It is a completely absurd, illogical, and malicious claim. The purpose of those who spread such ideas is to break people's trust in themselves and their nation, to continue to keep them as a controlled inert mass. Especially in today's situation, such claims seem extremely illogical, ridiculous, and I would apologetically say, even stupid. Allegations that the government, which is clearly unable to control itself in all its manifestations, organize and manage such massive marches can only be the product of a sick imagination. Therefore, if one day it turns out that these ideas were spread by the government itself, I will not be surprised in the slightest. Apparently, those involved in the quarrel also have a lack of self-confidence. Therefore, they use such primitive methods but I must say that this is more self-deception than self-confidence. However, to be honest, I must admit that a part of the protests was organized by the government, otherwise I may seem biased. I mean the disruptive actions of the provocateurs who entered the parliament, and in addition, I must say that the line has been seen for many years. Even in such an important area for the government, there has been no development.

- But it seems that the action later went out of control. The presence of religious slogans in the slogans of the rally, the fact that the marchers entered the building of the Milli Majlis, as well as the turning the police car upside down give grounds to say that someone used the rally for provocation. Was it an issue within the government, or was it ta matter of some foreign puppets, or was it really a matter of the action not going in any direction?

- I have already partially answered this question. Today, no one doubts that this insidious provocation was organized by the government itself, and not only photo evidence but also video evidence of it is available. But when such events "happened", as always, the authorities are deeply silent about the evidence today. Silence is not always a sign of wisdom. But I think that today's silence is not accidental because the current situation has forced many to think seriously about their personal interests and prospects. This is a good sign, and in general, at least sometimes it is not so harmful to be able to think. This can at least insure against serious complications in the future. As for whether it comes from groups within the government or from abroad, I think there are both. Since all groups within the government act on the orders and plans of their foreign patrons. Apparently, for this reason, they cannot accept the return of the people they have excluded from the process for many years, and moreover, their return in such an organized and disciplined manner. Therefore, when committing provocations, they not only do not content with targeting each other but also do not forget to overshadow the civil struggle, unity, and activism of the people. Crowds of people walking for miles around the city did not commit any violation in any place, and this is the same people who have been deprived of the right to protest for years. The author of the ugly provocation in the parliament is the government, which is a clear proof of the source of the destruction in the country. As for the shouting religious slogans by well-known provocateurs, it seems that the authors of the idea aimed to divide and confront the Azerbaijani society, which is united today, on religious and secular grounds. But they must not forget that this is a serious crime against the people and the state. Unfortunately, I must say that some of our pro-secular people also contribute to this division by following such discords, although today we need a monolithic unity.

- A scapegoat is wanted in this case too. And again, the opposition is the target. Could anyone be arrested for this action?

- I think it would be more precise to say “there will be” rather than “there could be”, and Ilham Aliyev personally announced it. But, unfortunately, this time the head of state did not content himself with the opposition, but went a step further and tried to humiliate the people. I mean his shameful claim that only 150 people applied for mobilization. This was already not only the political bankruptcy of the ruling hierarchy in the country but also a sign of its moral degradation. The formula of the policy pursued against the people for many years was clearly stated this time, and it was done by the president himself, not by the opposition, civil society, or the media. Therefore, threats, persecution, arrests, and even harsher measures will not change the situation. The next morning, tens of thousands of people’s appeal for mobilization was the culmination of years of latent protests. There is no need for exceptional talent to understand what this means.

- In general, what is happening between Armenia and Azerbaijan? Why did the situation suddenly flare up? Is there the consent of Russia on what is happening in the region? And what is the purpose of what is happening between these two countries? Which country will turn out from this situation to be more profitable and which will lose?

- Events not only happened with the consent of Russia but also are an integral part of its grand geopolitical plan, and Armenia, as always, is again a tool. Long before the last armed conflict, I repeatedly said that Russia was trying to enter the Middle East and that this road should pass directly through Azerbaijan, but, unfortunately, they either did not take it seriously or did not want to do so. Rising tensions over Iran, China's "opening the way" to Europe over Pakistan via the Arabian Sea, and finally the fact that Russia's economy will be heavily dependent on energy for at least 10 years, and many other reasons are forcing Moscow to shift its foreign policy vector to the Middle East. For economically and technologically weak Russia, the main means of influence are military-political means. That is why Russia is in Syria and is trying to increase its influence in the region. However, the provision and supply of armed forces, who are in the region and will be deployed there, as well as land contact with Iran in the event of any conflict, is possible only through Azerbaijan. In other words, the South Caucasus is the only way out to the Middle East, and, unfortunately, a significant part of this road passes through Azerbaijan. That is why Moscow is reviving the conflict, which it has created and frozen for many years. Unfortunately, what is happening is still just the beginning, and if effective measures are not taken to prevent it, we may face a larger conflict. Today, Azerbaijan's sovereignty is on the table, and we do not have many allies to protect it. In order not to lose the situation, all our hopes are mainly on ourselves, so today we must be organized at a high level and be united. But responding with inadequate aggression and threats to those who express solidarity and offer their knowledge and experience in the interests of the country is not the best way to do so.