As the time for the COP29 conference in the capital of Azerbaijan draws closer, the voices of our country’s adversaries, as well as those who see in this event yet another opportunity to attack everything associated with our nation, are growing louder and more hysterical.
Not long ago, Luis Moreno Ocampo, a former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, whose name has long since faded into obscurity, made an appeal to the global Armenian community. In certain circles, he is now ironically referred to as “Señor Naphthalene.” To remind you, this figure, who has left no notable mark on history, first made headlines about a year ago when, as he grandiosely declared, none other than the “president” of the self-proclaimed, unrecognized republic of “Artsakh,” Arayik Harutyunyan, approached him with a request. The request was to “study the matter” and provide an “expert opinion” on the Azerbaijani government’s decision to restrict movement through the border checkpoint established between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
From the very beginning, the tone with which this news was announced, along with the eagerness with which Ocampo accepted the request, left no doubt about what the “expert opinion” would be. It was clear that at a minimum, Azerbaijan would be accused of “genocide” in this charlatan’s hands. And, indeed, that’s exactly what happened, provoking laughter among more conscientious and professional colleagues of this Argentinean underachiever.
Following this, Ocampo’s name flooded Armenian media outlets and social networks. He was regularly invited to events organized by Armenian diaspora organizations. Every Armenian media platform saw it as an honor to feature this overhyped foreigner, to interview him, or take a selfie with him. In short, this mediocrity was having his moment in the spotlight, although it remained confined to the Armenian world.
But as with every rise, there is inevitably a fall, and Ocampo’s popularity was no exception. After the local counter-terrorism operations in September of last year, which lasted less than 24 hours and during which the local junta leaders strongly advised the Armenian population of Karabakh to leave their homes, almost no one remained—except for the elderly, the sick, the immobile, and abandoned pets left behind by the fleeing “Armenian warriors.” There simply wasn’t room in the vehicles, which were packed with toilets and other essentials of Armenian domestic life. These unfortunate people were abandoned, and the Azerbaijani state took responsibility for them. Even the most optimistic supporters of “miatsum” began to realize that it was all over—Karabakh was lost for good. After this, mentions of the “savior” ex-prosecutor Ocampo grew increasingly rare, which was something he was clearly unprepared for. He was, understandably, reluctant to part with the fleeting fame, the regular invitations, and perhaps even the honorariums that had become a part of his life. At least, not so soon. Senator Robert Menendez, after all, managed to accumulate gold bars over the years of his service to the Armenian diaspora, and now, suddenly, all of Ocampo’s dreams of a comfortable, secure old age were crashing down just as he was beginning to map out his plans.
So, the solution came quickly—don’t wait, but take the initiative. Maybe they’ll remember him and send more rewards. He decided to issue a call to the global Armenian community to launch a defamation campaign against Azerbaijan in the run-up to COP29. He came up with his talking points and sent them out. Essentially, he argued that it was inappropriate to attend a major event in Azerbaijan, a country where “prisoners of self-determination” and “martyrs of miatsum” languish in captivity.
In our country, and not just here, this move by “Señor Naphthalene” was met with humor, especially after his initiative received little response even within Armenian circles. It seems the diaspora organizations have also started to realize that skimming off contributions from the Armenian diaspora, while a sacred task, shouldn’t be done so blatantly! It’s clear that Ocampo’s effort, no matter how perfectly it aligns with the Armenian agenda, is doomed to failure. Those who need to will go to Baku without any thought of Araiks, Rubiks, Arkadiks, Davids, or Leviks. Spending money on a hopeless cause can only go so far.
And so, Ocampo’s appeal has become a voice crying in the wilderness. Soon enough, it might be time to change his title from “Señor Naphthalene” to “Señor Formalin.”
Vugar Seyidov
Translated from minval.az
