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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
------------------------------------------ ----
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]:
www.armeniaforeignministry.am
PRESS RELEASE
20-08-2005
Foreign Minister Oskanian, on the Nagorno Karabakh Negotiations, on the Eve
of Kazan:
"They Can Neither Seduce us nor Scare us with their Oil"
Prior to the presidents' meeting in Kazan, Azerbaijan's assessments of the
Nagorno Karabakh resolution process have become more frequent. Specifically,
Azerbaijani officials of varying capacities, have made statements on
different occasions, alleging that the essence of the Prague Process is a
stage-by-stage solution, and that time works in their favor, and that
international public opinion is moving in their direction. On the other
hand, they also say that the negotiations are not productive and that "we
must be prepared for everything," most probably having in mind a military
solution to the conflict, since Azerbaijan's military budget has increased
by one-third. What are your interpretations of these statements?
As a rule, each time Azerbaijan does not achieve what it wants, they either
badmouth the Minsk Group, or express dissatisfaction or disaffection with
the negotiations process, thus creating new political backdrop for the next
stage of the negotiating process. That's what they're trying to do now.
As for the Azerbaijani characterization of the Prague Process, here too,
they are talking not about what is, but about what they would like to see.
It is clear to everyone, including the Azerbaijanis, that Karabakh's
self-determination is the key issue, which must find expression in the right
of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to decide its own future. The remainder -
doing away with the consequences of the conflict, the issue of territories,
return of refugees, etc. - will follow. Of course, the package solution of
the conflict may be implemented in stages; in this regard, we are prepared
to demonstrate flexibility.
As for the time factor, I will repeat that which we all know: time works to
no one's advantage, because as a result of the unresolved conflict,
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh all suffer. On the other hand, an
Azerbaijani military budget that is bloated by oil dollars, doesn't change
anything. First, they can neither seduce nor, worse, scare us with their
oil. Armenia always has the ability to militarily counter any Azerbaijani
military budget. In fact, the advantage that Armenians have over Azerbaijan
is not in military expenditures or arms, but in the justness of the cause.
Armenians believe that the Nagorno Karabakh cause is just, and in case of
war, they will be fighting for their own homes and land. This is not what
the Azerbaijanis did or would do.
It would be better for Azerbaijan to compete not militarily, but engage in
healthy economic and political competition. And in those realms, today,
Azerbaijan is far from challenging Armenia or even Nagorno Karabakh.
As for the position of the international community, they are assessing the
situation more realistically, and are reckoning with reality and fact. The
international trend regarding conflicts -- East Timor, developments around
Kosovo, the Sudan Agreement -- all these developments demonstrate that the
international community today is leaning towards greater respect for the
right of peoples to self-determination.-0-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
------------------------------------------ ----
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]:
www.armeniaforeignministry.am
PRESS RELEASE
20-08-2005
Foreign Minister Oskanian, on the Nagorno Karabakh Negotiations, on the Eve
of Kazan:
"They Can Neither Seduce us nor Scare us with their Oil"
Prior to the presidents' meeting in Kazan, Azerbaijan's assessments of the
Nagorno Karabakh resolution process have become more frequent. Specifically,
Azerbaijani officials of varying capacities, have made statements on
different occasions, alleging that the essence of the Prague Process is a
stage-by-stage solution, and that time works in their favor, and that
international public opinion is moving in their direction. On the other
hand, they also say that the negotiations are not productive and that "we
must be prepared for everything," most probably having in mind a military
solution to the conflict, since Azerbaijan's military budget has increased
by one-third. What are your interpretations of these statements?
As a rule, each time Azerbaijan does not achieve what it wants, they either
badmouth the Minsk Group, or express dissatisfaction or disaffection with
the negotiations process, thus creating new political backdrop for the next
stage of the negotiating process. That's what they're trying to do now.
As for the Azerbaijani characterization of the Prague Process, here too,
they are talking not about what is, but about what they would like to see.
It is clear to everyone, including the Azerbaijanis, that Karabakh's
self-determination is the key issue, which must find expression in the right
of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to decide its own future. The remainder -
doing away with the consequences of the conflict, the issue of territories,
return of refugees, etc. - will follow. Of course, the package solution of
the conflict may be implemented in stages; in this regard, we are prepared
to demonstrate flexibility.
As for the time factor, I will repeat that which we all know: time works to
no one's advantage, because as a result of the unresolved conflict,
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh all suffer. On the other hand, an
Azerbaijani military budget that is bloated by oil dollars, doesn't change
anything. First, they can neither seduce nor, worse, scare us with their
oil. Armenia always has the ability to militarily counter any Azerbaijani
military budget. In fact, the advantage that Armenians have over Azerbaijan
is not in military expenditures or arms, but in the justness of the cause.
Armenians believe that the Nagorno Karabakh cause is just, and in case of
war, they will be fighting for their own homes and land. This is not what
the Azerbaijanis did or would do.
It would be better for Azerbaijan to compete not militarily, but engage in
healthy economic and political competition. And in those realms, today,
Azerbaijan is far from challenging Armenia or even Nagorno Karabakh.
As for the position of the international community, they are assessing the
situation more realistically, and are reckoning with reality and fact. The
international trend regarding conflicts -- East Timor, developments around
Kosovo, the Sudan Agreement -- all these developments demonstrate that the
international community today is leaning towards greater respect for the
right of peoples to self-determination.-0-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress