Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Arzumanian: The Sides Were Offered Step-By-Step Solution In Astana

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Arzumanian: The Sides Were Offered Step-By-Step Solution In Astana

    ARZUMANIAN: THE SIDES WERE OFFERED STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTION IN ASTANA

    Azg/arm
    23 Dec 04

    At his last press conference the foreign minister of Armenia told
    journalists that the public's opinion should be decisive in choosing a
    solution alternate for Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "If there is people's
    demand to take, say, the step-by-step solution, then the issue should
    be discussed at the parliament and it will decide whether we are on
    the wrong path and should we take the step-by-step alternate or not",
    Vartan Oskanian said. The former foreign minister of Armenia, Alexander
    Arzumanian, thinks that Oskanian and the authorities are preparing
    the public opinion to make a turn to the step-by-step solution.

    - Mr. Arzumanian, the former Armenian president stated recently that we
    cannot get today what we could get in 1997. Do you agree with such a view?

    - Situation in 1997 was more favorable for Armenia and the options
    on the table made it possible to reach a solution that would be in
    interests of Armenia and the Karabakh people. Levon Ter-Petrosian was
    considering that the time is playing into Azerbaijan's hands and that
    we should use the chance to negotiate, that there will be no better
    chance in future. I think that the past 7 years show that he was right.

    - In 1997 they were suggesting to withdraw the armed forces without
    saying what will Nagorno Karabakh get. Do you call this success?

    - The suggestions of 97 were covered by the media. What I mean is
    that there were two opposite approaches, one proposed by Azerbaijan,
    the other by Karabakh. As the two conflicting approaches could not
    be brought together, we decided to pick out separate issues for
    discussion, to switch to the step-by-step solution, which supposed,
    as first steps to be taken, signing a peace treaty, withdrawal of
    forces from several territories, return of the refugees against which
    the people of Karabakh would be guaranteed security, Armenia would
    be recognized a guarantee for Karabakh's security and the status of
    Karabakh would be discussed separately. I used to say at the time
    and now I repeat that each conflict's solution lies in accomplishing
    gradual steps. The fact is that the so-called step-by-step solution
    plans of Astana, that are on the table today, are the same plans
    only modified. There is no argument over this today, and I am glad
    that your newspaper is wishful to speak of it. The authorities
    were obstinately claiming before the OSCE Ministers' meeting in
    Sofia that the sides were offered nothing. Moreover, Armat NGO was
    condemned in disorientating the public, in depreciating Armenia's
    "great diplomatic success", in encouraging the Azeri side and a number
    of other things. But in fact, the organization has issued a report
    informing that it became clear during Karabakh issue discussions
    at the UN that there were offers to the sides. Armat was referring
    to US representative to the UN, Susan Moor, who noted in her speech
    that the sides received offers two months ago and the co-chairs are
    waiting for their answer and for that reason the Azeri formula cannot
    be put to vote at the General Assembly. In Sofia the OSCE Ministerial
    Council stated that the sides received offers in Astana and called
    on to continue negotiations leaning on the offers. Besides, there
    is another sentence that is not spoken of much. The statement by the
    OSCE Ministerial Council also notes that it became possible to review
    all the criteria of the conflict at the Prague process (something
    that is put to silence). This means that the modified step-by-step
    solution is likely to return to the agenda.

    The sides were offered in Astana to withdraw Armenian forces from all
    Karabakh's neighboring Azeri territories against which referendums
    would be held in Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. This is nothing
    else but a step-by-step solution offer.

    - Are you still an adherent of the step-by-step solution?

    - We again return to favorable conditions. I was for the step-by-step
    solution possible in 1997. But what have we got during these
    7 years. The only thing we have is the total blockade by the
    international community. I mean in 1997 we had only economical
    blockade but today there is also a political blockade. The world
    community's understanding of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has
    changed in essence. If they used to speak of Karabakh people's
    freedom for self-identification then today we hear talks about a
    territorial argument between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Karabakh
    has dropped out of the negotiations decisive for its own fate. The
    step-by-step solution we have today differs from that we had in 97
    and the conditions today are less beneficial for the Armenian side.

    - Mr. Arzumanian, have you read the offer that the sides received in
    Astana, if there is a document on that at all?

    - Certainly no, because they were not published, and I think that's
    right as all the details of essential offers should be discussed
    confidentially. But I don't speak of the details now but of the
    principles that lie as offers' foundation. From this viewpoint, the
    information I now possess allows me to claim that what they mean is
    a modified step-by-step solution.

    - You mentioned of Armenian's total political isolation. Don't you
    think that Armenia appeared in such isolation in 1996, after the
    Lisbon, when all the OSCE states marched against Armenia?

    - Not at all. In Lisbon there was an attempt to impose on Armenia
    a solution variant that was unacceptable and was not in national
    interests of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. For that reason Armenia
    used its veto right not to let an unacceptable option pass. Armenia
    was not isolated and was able to clearly formulate its standpoints
    and approaches to the world community. Today's Armenia is unable to
    veto as the atmosphere has changed. Today's Armenia is in a situation
    when it is viewed as an occupant of Azeri territories. Armenia has
    never been blamed for conquering foreign lands, for inhabiting and
    for carrying out ethnic cleansing.

    By Tatoul Hakobian

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Working...
X