BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 10. As reported
earlier, On October 10, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by the Russian RBC TV channel. On
October 11, the TV channel broadcast the interview with the pinnacle of
state. Development presents
the interview.
– Initially, thanks very a lot for agreeing to
communicate with us. Earlier than we begin, I wish to speak concerning the rules
of RBK. Just a few days in the past, there was an intensive interview with the
prime minister of Armenia, and now we’re right here in Azerbaijan, in
Baku, to talk with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Yet another
comment, earlier than I ask the primary query, condolences to the
family of all of the victims on either side. I’ve heard rather a lot that
no-one wants battle and the edges may have completed with out it. And now
probably the most tough but additionally probably the most fascinating activity begins. The
negotiations have ended. How would you assess what occurred in
Moscow? It is extremely necessary for us to know what all of it
means.
– Basically, I’ve a optimistic evaluation as a result of the assertion
circulated after the talks says {that a} ceasefire is being declared
for humanitarian causes and – what’s of basic significance,
this was the place of Azerbaijan and I’m glad that this was
mirrored on this doc – substantive negotiations between
Armenia and Azerbaijan will start and the format of negotiations
stays unchanged. These are the 2 positions the brand new Armenian
authorities tried to undermine. It’s no secret to anybody that the
statements we heard from Yerevan had been basically geared toward
undermining the method of negotiations that had been developed
over time, together with its basic rules, at
undermining the format of negotiations. Subsequently, it was extraordinarily
necessary that the Armenian facet – after all, this occurred as a
results of what we have now on the battlefield – was pressured to just accept
that the basic rules type the idea for a settlement and
they clearly state how the battle must be settled and in what
sequence the occupied territories must be returned to Azerbaijan.
Secondly, the format of the negotiations stays unchanged. This
implies that negotiations have been, are and can be carried out solely
between Azerbaijan and Armenia. All makes an attempt by the Armenian
management to shift this duty onto the puppet regime that
exists in Nagorno-Karabakh have failed. Thus, after that I’m certain
that we are going to not hear from Pashinyan that “Karabakh is
Armenia”. Additionally, we won’t hear his statements that Azerbaijan
ought to negotiate with the so-called management of Nagorno-Karabakh.
If he does make such statements, it’ll imply that he reveals
disrespect each for the mediators and for his personal delegation, which
agreed on this textual content in Moscow, and this may once more undermine the
strategy of negotiations. What did it result in this time? I believe
everybody can clearly see that. I do not assume he can permit himself
to step on the identical rake a second time.
– The ceasefire – how lengthy will it final? How would you
assess the fragility of this truce? What is going to it rely
on?
– This ceasefire lasted for a few years till the present
escalation, for many years. There have been sure clashes on the road of
contact, there have been provocations of the Armenian facet on the state
border in July this 12 months. However such large-scale motion has by no means
taken place within the final nearly 30 years. Subsequently, every little thing will
depend upon the Armenian facet. Initially, whether or not it’ll observe
the ceasefire. As a result of this morning and yesterday, that within the
early hours of at the moment and within the morning, I used to be knowledgeable about
makes an attempt of a large-scale counter-offensive by the Armenian forces
in lots of instructions – an try to recapture Hadrut, an try to
recapture the territories we have now liberated in Jabrayil district
and an try within the northern route. In different phrases,
understanding that the events can come to an settlement in Moscow,
they tried as a lot as attainable to get again what that they had misplaced and
what by no means belonged to them. Subsequently, the important thing issue for the
sturdiness of the ceasefire can be that Armenia should come to phrases
with the truth that we have now these territories, that it’s going to by no means
see them once more and won’t make any makes an attempt to recapture it by
army means. The second equally necessary issue is precisely what
I’ve simply talked about. On the negotiating desk, we should see a
constructive method from the Armenian facet, in order that they cease
attempting to mimic the method of negotiations, in order that they chorus
from provocative actions and statements, and in order that they’re
dedicated to discovering a settlement. All we have now seen from the
Armenian facet over the previous 12 months was exactly geared toward undermining
the negotiations and blaming Azerbaijan. So we are going to see. We’re
dedicated to our statements. Azerbaijan is a rustic that has
at all times fulfilled its obligations. I’ve at all times stated that our
signature has the identical worth as our phrase. However the ceasefire is just not
a unilateral course of, so we are going to see how the Armenian facet will
behave now.
– In Azerbaijan, so far as I perceive within the two days
I’ve been right here, the general public sentiment is that we should go to the
finish. How are you going to clarify to the Azerbaijanis now that Baku has
agreed to negotiations once more?
– We’re going to the top. We did not cease. If the Armenian facet
is dedicated to the ceasefire regime, then, as I stated yesterday,
the section of political settlement will start and the section of
coercion to negotiations will finish. Subsequently, we are going to go to the top
anyway. Our aim stays unchanged. Restoration of the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, which is acknowledged by your complete world
neighborhood, the return of Azerbaijanis to the locations of their
unique conventional residence, together with Shusha and different
settlements of Nagorno-Karabakh, and, after all, to all different
territories exterior the executive border of the previous NKAO.
Subsequently, our aim stays unchanged. The query is about how we
will transfer in direction of this aim? We’ve got at all times tried to observe the
political path and have at all times heard that there isn’t any army
resolution. We’ve got confirmed that this isn’t the case. We confirmed on
the battlefield that this isn’t the case and that these
negotiations would have lasted one other 30 years and not using a army
part. What would have occurred earlier than that? Unlawful
settlement. That is a world crime and a violation of the
Geneva Conference. Sadly, no-one ever reacted to this – the
Minsk Group, the European Union or the UN. The destruction of
Azerbaijan’s historic heritage, the destruction of our cultural,
historic and non secular websites, the change of place names, the
change of administrative boundaries of our areas, the change of
the names of our mountains, rivers and cities. In different phrases, we
would have needed to wait one other 30 years after which we might have been
advised that that is what the state of affairs is like now, so put up with
it. We’ve got already been advised that. Subsequently, I believe that the
army part, or its first stage, has come to an finish, we have now
now reached a political settlement which can safe that we attain
the top and get what’s rightfully ours. Subsequently, I believe that
Azerbaijani society will understand what occurred yesterday and
tonight appropriately and proceed to assist our coverage. As a result of we
have at all times advised our folks the reality. We’ve got at all times defended the
pursuits of our folks. What occurred on the battlefield proved it
to everybody once more.
– You will have met with Armenian prime minister Nikol
Pashinyan a number of occasions earlier than these occasions. After these occasions,
are you prepared to sit down down on the identical desk or speak with
him?
– You realize, it’s tough to talk with an individual who may be very
reliable. I needed to negotiate together with his predecessors, whom I
contemplate battle criminals as a result of they’ve dedicated a bloody
genocide in Khojaly, they’re liable for the killing of
peaceable Azerbaijani inhabitants, for the destruction of our
historic and cultural heritage. However I needed to negotiate as a result of we
needed to discover a resolution to this battle. When the brand new authorities
got here to energy, after all, first contacts with the brand new management
had been fairly encouraging. I’ve already spoken about this as soon as and
don’t wish to repeat myself. However then the alternative occurred. In
different phrases, we felt deceived. We perceive that we’re
negotiating with the enemy, however we should stay trustworthy even with the
enemy, trustworthy at the least to ourselves. We should respect our phrase. When
this occurred, we misplaced any need to proceed this mindless
exercise, after all. What are you able to speak about together with your opponent if
each phrase is a lie, if their lies are circulated on this planet
media and if lies are broadcast everywhere in the world? They’re
most likely used to mendacity in their very own nation. However if you lie about
historical past and concerning the essence of the battle within the Web age,
it is rather shortly uncovered. Subsequently, I don’t rule out such a
risk however this requires sure situations. At this stage, I
do not assume it might be productive. Quite the opposite. The Armenian
management ought to lastly perceive that it’s inconceivable to talk
to Azerbaijan within the language of ultimatums, insults and blackmail.
I’ve by no means allowed myself such a tone of communication with
anybody – neither inside the nation nor overseas. However when Pashinyan
put ahead seven ultimatums to us, when he insulted the emotions
of the Azerbaijanis, he ought to have been punished for this. And we
did that! Let him thank Putin for the truth that Russia has as soon as
once more come to Armenia’s rescue.
– You will have talked about the function of Russia. That’s, it
actually was decisive in these negotiations.
– Russia as a co-chair of the Minsk Group, after all, has the
identical rights and powers as the opposite nations of the OSCE Minsk
Group. However, after all, as our neighbor and a rustic that has a
widespread historical past with each Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russia performs a
particular function, after all. This function is predicated each on historical past and on
the interplay of our peoples, in addition to the load and function of
Russia on this planet and in our area, after all. Subsequently, resulting from
these goal causes, the chances of Russia to affect
the settlement of the battle are incomparably better than these
of another nation. Subsequently, we have now repeatedly appealed to the
Russian management, in order that the Russian management would have interaction the
levers of political affect on Armenia and urge the Armenian facet
to finish the occupation. This matter has been mentioned many occasions,
and I can let you know that in the entire quite a few conferences I’ve had
with my Russian colleague, this matter was mentioned in a single type or
one other, both intimately or not very extensively, however this didn’t
occur. It’s no secret that Armenia totally relies on Russia at the moment.
Safety is supplied by Russia, free weapons are supplied by
Russia. We’ve got destroyed Armenian {hardware} most likely price billions
of {dollars}. Proper now, in a matter of two weeks. The place did they get
this cash? They do not have it. These are all free deliveries from
Russia. Gasoline provide at preferential costs from Russia, electrical energy
to some extent too. Railways, communications, a army base. Even
the Armenian border with Turkey and Iran is guarded by Russian
border troops. If it wasn’t for this, it might be empty. What different
nation has so many levers to affect Armenia? None! And there
are most likely no different two nations on this planet, one in all which
could be so utterly depending on the opposite. Subsequently, of
course, I’m satisfied that if there’s insistence on the a part of
Russia, on condition that we have now modified the established order, damaged the road
of contact and introduced Yerevan to its senses, I believe that Russia
definitely has lots of instruments to shortly persuade Armenia that the
solely manner out of the state of affairs – and never solely by way of army
confrontation but additionally for the way forward for Armenia normally – is to
discover a resolution along with Azerbaijan. And it’s fairly easy –
depart the territory, withdraw the troops, our folks will return
there and we are going to attempt to reside facet by facet once more.
– I’ll now ask you about one other nation – Turkey.
Azerbaijan and also you personally have been repeatedly accused these
days of the truth that every little thing, together with this battle, is
managed by Turkish authorities. Yesterday and tonight, we did
not see Turkey on the negotiating desk. Why?
– This reveals that each one these opinions had been false and that it was
deliberate media hypothesis. There have been a number of targets. First, to
additional demonize Turkey and this, sadly, is turning into nearly
a norm within the so-called fashionable political trend. That is
utterly unfounded. Turkey is defending its pursuits, defending
its proper to reside its personal life. Underneath the management of President
Erdogan, Turkey ceased to be an obedient ally of the West. It
dictates its will in its area and on this planet. Turkey is
reckoned with now. Turkey’s authority has grown. The Turkish military
is the second greatest military in NATO and it might probably resolve any
military-political issues. Subsequently, after all, there’s such
open strain from the West. It’s even fraught with some very
unusual and adverse emotional background in relation to Turkey. So
that is the primary cause – the demonization of Turkey. The second
cause is the underestimation of Azerbaijan’s potential, together with
military-technical, an try to introduce issues in such a manner
that it was Turkey or somebody underneath the affect of Turkey that
solved a army challenge. No! We’ve got liberated our lands ourselves.
The parable concerning the so-called victorious Armenian military has
collapsed. It by no means existed. Those that know the historical past of the
battle are nicely conscious that our lands had been occupied additionally by the
366th motorized rifle regiment of the Soviet military, which was
stationed in Khankandi and I believe 70 p.c of its servicemen
had been of Armenian origin. So it was Soviet weaponry and Soviet
command with an Armenian composition, they usually took an lively half
in each ethnic cleaning and genocide.
– When … the occasions of the early Nineteen Nineties
…
– In fact! With out the assist and lively participation of the
366th regiment, Armenia wouldn’t have seized our territories.
Subsequently, a fable was created afterwards that the Armenian military was
victorious and the Azerbaijani one wouldn’t find a way to withstand it.
This was why it was essential to protect this fable. Apparently,
acknowledging a bitter defeat by the hands of Azerbaijan is past
the capability of Armenian society and management. Third, it was
essential to belittle the function and significance of Azerbaijan within the
world area. That is very tough to do as a result of Azerbaijan at the moment
has very intensive financial and political ties with nations of
the world. Right now we chair the Non-Aligned Motion, which brings
collectively 120 nations, and we had been elected unanimously. If our
nation didn’t have an impartial potential, would we have now gained
such respect? Subsequently, all of the insinuations that Turkey is
directing Azerbaijan and that we’re appearing upon its will are
completely fallacious. That is additionally geared toward disrupting or undermining
the Turkish-Azerbaijani brotherhood, but it surely won’t succeed. By
the way in which, if all this data hype round Azerbaijan and Turkey
had a foundation, then there wouldn’t have been at the moment’s assertion. This
assertion was agreed with me and no-one else. If we had been managed
by somebody, this challenge would most likely not have been resolved so
shortly. Subsequently, Turkey performs a stabilizing function on this planet
and within the area. The lively and really clear place of the
Turkish management, personally its President and different officers
in the course of the escalation, basically prevented the intervention of
third nations on this battle. Subsequently, I consider that the
function of Turkey is extraordinarily optimistic, and it ought to play an excellent
better function in our area, together with the settlement of the
battle.
– Many in Russia will hear the phrase that “Turkey
ought to play an excellent better function”. What’s hidden behind these
phrases? What do you imply?
– I believe it’s too early to speak about this, as a result of I’m
expressing the place of the Azerbaijani facet. However I stated in a single
of my current interviews that the Minsk Group was shaped a few years
in the past, in 1992, with utterly totally different geopolitical realities. And
if we had been to type a contact group of mediators at the moment, the
composition could be totally different. The composition ought to mirror the
intentions and desires of the events to the battle however the
composition of the Minsk Group virtually doesn’t mirror that.
The composition of a brand new contact group or a working group, no matter
you name it, ought to mirror the present stability of energy within the
area, the present pursuits of the nations of the area and
must be centered on outcomes. In any other case, what’s the level? It
does not make any sense. If we wish to resolve the battle, then it
should be resolved inside the framework of a brand new format. Discover how
many new codecs of cooperation – trilateral, quadripartite – have
been arrange not too long ago to coordinate the positions of nations on
many sizzling spots. In any case, they’re being created now, they aren’t
created on the idea of any dogmas, on the idea of the true
stability of energy. Subsequently, after all, there could be little doubt that
Turkey ought to and can play an necessary function within the settlement of
the battle. In what type – authorized or de facto – that is already a
technical query.
– Concerning the function of Russia. After I walked round Baku, I
noticed lots of Azerbaijani flags and barely fewer however nonetheless fairly
many Turkish flags, however I didn’t see a single Russian flag. Does
this imply that Russia’s affect in Azerbaijan has decreased or
has the perspective of individuals in Azerbaijan modified in direction of
Russia?
– I do not assume it has modified. The truth that there are numerous
Turkish flags is pure. We’re fraternal peoples. Right now there’s
such a degree of belief, mutual assist and relations between Turkey
and Azerbaijan that, in my view, can’t be discovered between any
different nations of the world, even the closest allies. This can be a
actuality. And this actuality was created by us – the management of
Turkey and Azerbaijan. And it’s not about our widespread roots and our
widespread historical past. There are additionally peoples with shut ethnic roots in
the world, like Turkey and Azerbaijan, who’re at battle with every
different. And you recognize that very nicely. Or they’re engaged in
intrigues towards one another. Subsequently, the presence of Turkish
flags in Azerbaijan is a actuality. Additionally, for those who go to Turkey, you
will see Azerbaijani flags in lots of locations. As for the perspective
in direction of Russia, I can provide you one truth. Earlier than the pandemic, the
annual progress of Russian residents visiting Azerbaijan was within the
area of 15-20 p.c. Final 12 months it approached one million folks.
I’ve at all times stated that Russians are drawn to Azerbaijan not
solely by the delicacies, not solely by the seashores, not solely by historical past,
but additionally by the truth that they really feel comfy right here, they really feel at
house, they communicate Russian with our folks. You most likely know that
nowhere else are there as many colleges in Russian as in Azerbaijan
– greater than 300. There are Russian universities and branches in
Azerbaijan. Russian musical and theater teams had been right here nearly
each week earlier than the pandemic. Subsequently, the perspective in direction of
Russia and in direction of the Russian folks inhabiting the Russian
Federation is extraordinarily optimistic in Azerbaijan. However you’ve got
already spent a number of days right here and you understand how the issue of the
Armenian occupation influences the mentality of the folks. Folks
catch each phrase, folks catch each gesture, each facial
expression. However I’ll let you know fairly frankly, throughout this time,
throughout lately of the week when some Russian channels run rabid
anti-Azerbaijani propaganda, falsification, manipulation, present
an unbalanced composition of speak present members, when the
Azerbaijani persons are insulted, when the President of Azerbaijan
is insulted on main Russian channels, this, after all, doesn’t
add credibility to Russia. I introduced this challenge to the eye of
the Russian management. Not by way of the truth that we’re
involved about it – the Azerbaijani society and public opinion are
shaped inside Azerbaijan. However by way of the truth that this will likely
sometime result in sure difficulties in our plans. We’ve got plans
with Russia for the additional improvement of cooperation. We at the moment are
actively engaged on 5 roadmaps for financial and different
cooperation, there are superb points politically. However the
data assault we encountered within the Russian media throughout this
time, after all, triggered nice hurt to the general public notion of
Russia. I believe it’ll take effort and time for the management of
either side to right this case.
– I’ll ask two extra questions. 27 September, night time or
morning. Do you bear in mind how the choice was made that you must
begin responding, you must begin this battle?
-Properly, in follow choices are made robotically. There are
sure directions for the servicemen of the Azerbaijani military. I
assume each military has that. What your actions must be in case of
risk, in case of assault. That’s, we had no hesitation on tips on how to
act. Furthermore, we had been anticipating this assault. I spoke about this
from the UN platform a number of days earlier than the escalation. You may see
the textual content of my speech – I stated that Armenia is making ready for battle.
Armenia should be stopped. There have been lots of arguments in favor of
that. Initially, the assertion of the Armenian protection minister
he made in America final 12 months when he stated that Armenia is making ready
for a brand new battle for brand new territories. Then Pashinyan’s statements such
as “Karabakh is Armenia” and so forth. Additional provocative actions in
the type of demonstrative settlement of Armenians from Lebanon to
Shusha, which is a battle crime. Additional, the insult of the
Azerbaijani folks by holding the so-called “swearing-in” ceremony
in Shusha – actually, for the primary time in your complete existence of
the occupation regime there. An try to maneuver the parliament of
the so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh republic” from Khankandi to Shusha,
and rather more. All this was a provocation towards us. Then July. An
unprovoked assault on army positions, and we misplaced 4
servicemen after which a civilian within the very first hours. Then
August. A sabotage group penetrating Goranboy district on the road
of contact. The chief of this group is now giving proof. We
waited. We had been prepared. Naturally, the choice was made
robotically, together with myself, with none hesitation. We needed to
put the aggressor again as a substitute. In July, Azerbaijani society
demanded a continuation. You most likely learn about this.
– Sure, there was a rally.
– Sure. In July, the primary slogan on the rally was
“Commander-in-Chief, give us weapons!” That is what folks had been
saying. In July, we may have simply crossed the state border with
Armenia and seized huge territories of the Armenian Republic. However
we did not.
– …This didn’t occur in Karabakh.
– Fairly proper. We didn’t do this. There have been no difficulties
there. We confirmed this now after we broke the protection that was deeply
echeloned for 30 years. The native terrain there’s protection in
itself. We had been going from backside up, we had been breaking these
concrete slabs because of the unbelievable efforts of the Azerbaijani
Military, the heroism of our troopers and officers. What would it not have
value us to maneuver into any level in Armenia? However I ended it, I stated
that no, we won’t go for that, we aren’t them. We won’t
enter the internationally acknowledged territory of Armenia. We
reached the border, drove out the invaders who entered our
territory and stopped there. In different phrases, after that we needed to
punish the aggressor and discourage it from even wanting in our
route. And we did that. Have a look at what a depressing state of affairs
Pashinyan is in now. He humiliates himself, calls, begs. There may be
hardly anybody left he hasn’t referred to as but. Heads of presidency of the
European Union. And what does he demand? He calls for that they
acknowledge Nagorno-Karabakh. It speaks of an entire inadequacy of
the Armenian management. There may be an settlement between Azerbaijan
and the European Union, one in all which was initialed two years in the past.
It states that the European Union respects the territorial
integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of Azerbaijan’s borders.
We’ve got paperwork on strategic partnership with seven EU member
states. All of them acknowledge the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan. Solely an individual who is totally removed from politics and
devoid of any information within the worldwide sphere can demand
recognition for Nagorno-Karabakh. That is the place they’re now. And
we needed to punish them. We needed to put them of their place. They
ought to know that they’ll’t speak to us like that they usually will not get
away with it. They usually didn’t. He can be held accountable for the
tears of moms, for the deaths of harmless younger residents of
Armenia they’re sending to the frontline.
– What is going to occur to the territories Azerbaijan has
returned? What is going to they do there now?
– We’ll return our refugees to their properties. You may think about
the enjoyment of those folks, the enjoyment of the inhabitants of Jabrayil,
the villages of Fuzuli, the inhabitants of Tartar district, Hadrut,
who will return to their lands after nearly 30 years. There may be
nowhere to return to now. The video footage we present from the
liberated territories reveals that every little thing there was
destroyed. We knew that it’s worse than Stalingrad. All the things
that was not destroyed was plundered. They even stole window
frames, stole bathrooms. That is simply looting elevated to public
coverage. Subsequently, we are going to restore these territories.
– Will you rebuild them?
– We’ll rebuilt them. In fact. We’ll assist. This 12 months,
in line with our building program for internally displaced
individuals, we’re commissioning 7,000 flats. Are you able to think about? If
we multiply that by 5 folks on common, we accommodate 35,000
folks a 12 months. in different phrases, even by our requirements it’s a pretty
medium-sized metropolis. We’ve got already accommodated greater than 300,000
folks. Yearly we allocate big funds from our finances to create
good situations for refugees. Every refugee receives a month-to-month
allowance from the state. We’ll do it there. We’ll rebuild
Jabrayil. We’ll rebuild all of the villages. Individuals who will reside
there can be concerned in building work. They may obtain a
land parcel to rebuild their properties. Life will return there,
youngsters’s laughter will return there. Folks will heave a sigh of
aid. Folks will really feel that they’ve regained their dignity. Can
you think about what it’s like for Azerbaijanis to reside in such a
state of affairs for thus a few years? Think about my emotions when, on the road
of contact, I checked out our destroyed cities by way of binoculars.
Let the Armenian facet give this a thought. They won’t perceive
what it’s like. However they need to have thought of it earlier.
They need to not have harm the emotions of the Azerbaijanis. We’re
a form folks, a peace-loving folks however we won’t permit our
dignity to be trampled and insulted. When Pashinyan, in a drunken
stupor, danced in Shusha on Jidir-Duzu, he signed up for what
occurred at the moment.
– Are you going to go to these territories
your self?
– In fact! After we liberated Jojug Marjanli from occupation in
2016, I advised our State Committee for Refugees and IDPs that they
ought to ask the residents of this village in the event that they want to
return. As a result of a few years have handed, lots of them are in Baku,
many have jobs, youngsters, faculties, many reside in different areas of
Azerbaijan. Altering your house of residence, particularly the place
every little thing is destroyed, is just not really easy. You realize, after a while
I used to be knowledgeable that there was a queue. Even younger individuals who had
by no means been there, who had been born afterwards. All of them requested to be
returned there as quickly as attainable. And in lower than a 12 months we
rebuilt a village of 150 homes, constructed a faculty, a medical
facility, a mosque, all of the infrastructure, put in fuel strains and
roads there. This has change into an emblem of our return. After I arrived
there and noticed the faces of those folks, their pleasure, tears of pleasure in
their eyes, I stated to myself once more that we might undoubtedly return
to our properties. And, after all, we are going to restore these locations in order that
these individuals who suffered for thus a few years, lots of them didn’t
reside to see this blissful day, they died eager for their properties, so
that those that have survived them reside fortunately and people who did
not reside to see today have their souls in paradise.
-Thanks very a lot!
-Thanks!
Originally published at Irvine News HQ
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