Zahid Oruj: "Azerbaijani soldier's death in Iraq is frustrating but it should not put a question on our participation in the peacekeeping missions"

- Different views were voiced on the recent death of the first Azerbaijani peacekeeper in Iraq up to raising the issue of expediency for Azerbaijan to impose a threat on people's lives in other regions of the world in period when a part of our own lands are still under occupation. How would you comment on the situation?

- First of all, I want to present my deep condolences to the relatives of the deceased and express my deep regret about what happened.

On the other hand, I would like to express my attitude towards the views on the incident. First of all, let's analyze the objectives, Azerbaijan pursues  while participating today in the international coalition and contributing to the provision of global security. Our main task is to boost security in the world. This allows to present Azerbaijan to the world community as a peace-loving country, as previously our country and the South Caucasus were associated with the conflict area and the real puncture and goals of the Azerbaijani army can be demonstrated to the world while participating in such peacekeeping missions. I admit that in the previous years we had not have such an opportunity as in the USSR times, its armed forces abroad took part only in the occupational operations.

Azerbaijan's participation in the international coalition has primordially threatened to the lives of people, who were sent to maintain peace in any conflict area. It could not be otherwise, as peacekeepers fulfill a dangerous function of boosting public security and protecting various objects. I think the world community and other coalition participants, therefore, value the fact that our country, its military contingent tries to play its role in the resolution of an important task of fighting criminal groups and illegal armed formations at the cost of soldiers' lives.

At the same time, we understand that this carries a definite risk for our country as well as this action is not limited with a life-threat to our soldiers. Practice shows that countries, involved in the coalition, can be subjected to different forms of blackmail by the said criminal groups.

Official position on the incident is that the Azerbaijani soldier died while fulfilling his duty. Some people started to doubt this statement as to whether this can be considered a part of the Azerbaijani soldier's tasks, when his native lands are under occupation. I think it is. Azerbaijan, partaking in keeping peace and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan also ensures its political security and I treat this question like that.

Assessing the incident, I want to say that the powers of states, firmness of their political will is determined by their ability not to yield, despite any losses. Azerbaijan sends open messages to the world society that our citizens sacrifice their lives for combat for peace, while the armed forces of some country conduct only occupational policy, as we see in Armenia's case. Our external political circles and the overall political leadership are able to demonstrate Azerbaijan's adherence to the passed decision and consistency in the mission undertaken on the basis of the incident.

- You have mentioned that some countries, whose citizens were captured by different criminal groupings in Iraq, fell victims of blackmail and even decided to withdraw their soldiers from the country. Can Azerbaijan also take such a decision after the soldier's death?   

- Certainly, the life of any Azerbaijani citizen, either a soldier or a civilian is too dear to any of us and our actions do not imply that we do not take this into account. Certainly, we share the grief of the soldier's relatives. At the same time, I consider it incorrect to review our political position following the incident and withdraw peacekeepers. Basing on the political course of our president, I can state that he takes into account the following: the incident is a demonstration of a readiness of an Azerbaijani soldier, sacrificing his life for the sake of public security, normal living of people in other regions to do it tomorrow for liberation of our own lands.

- By the way, what would you say to those, who state that Azerbaijan sacrifices the lives of its citizens for any political interests in vain?

- President of Azerbaijan by taking these steps tries to strengthen our security, not weaken it or pursue any other interests. We are not formal participants and we are participating in this process not just to catch up with anyone. This decision is really our contribution to peace in the Near East.

I have also seen the statements in this form and I want to note that only national interests are implied in this case.

- What should we do in such a situation?

- It is necessary to undertake steps in social provision of the soldier's family members and ensure the rights of those, participating in the peacekeeping actions on the high level, that is to take steps in the legal sphere. This is what we need to do at present. Azerbaijan is already participating in the peacekeeping process in the international arena. Otherwise, if we follow some people, it turns out that we should not keep peacekeeping contingent at all. I do not share this view. I consider that though this fact is frustrating to all of us, Azerbaijan will be loyal to its determination to go till the end.

/Day.Az/