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Karabakh's independence impossible - Armenian paper
Aravot, Yerevan
2 Jun 06
Text of Aram Abraamyan's report by Armenian newspaper Aravot on 2 June
entitled "Without white gloves"
They say that in early 1998 when a coup was being plotted and
"nationalist" forces were going to displace non-nationalist ones, an
official was asked: "How do you see the settlement of the Karabakh
problem?" and he replied: "If it is settled one day, it will be
settled in the way as Levon [Ter-Petrosyan, first Armenian president]
wanted". Politics are dirty business and do not need white gloves at
all.
Approximately the following will be suggested in Bucharest. Armenian
troops should be withdrawn from the occupied five districts. Meanwhile,
communication roads will be opened and refugees will return, Karabakh
will get an "intermediate status", and peacekeeping forces will be
deployed. Actually, the problem of a final status will be put off for
an indefinite period. There is nothing about the "package" settlement,
as the "package" (as it was understood in 1998) supposes the
withdrawal of troops and an independent status for Karabakh or its
unification with Armenia.
Unfortunately, this option is impossible. But this does not mean that
the problem should not be settled at all. If a miracle happens and
Kocharyan and Aliyev come to agreement on the suggested option, that
agreement should be welcomed. There is no need to enumerate advantages
that Armenia and Azerbaijan will gain if lasting peace is established
in the region. Let our authorities describe this option as
"victorious", let them prove that this is not the "stage-by-stage
option" proposed in 1997. Let it be so. Let them only find the
strength to make concessions.
But no miracle will happen in Bucharest. The only thing for which the
two presidents are going to meet is to disrupt the talks, but to do it
in such a way that an opponent will be held responsible for that.
Armenia's positions are stronger in this strategic task. Aliyev, who
became blind because of oil dollars, thinks that he can reach more.
But this "tactical" victory is a very weak consolation.
Aravot, Yerevan
2 Jun 06
Text of Aram Abraamyan's report by Armenian newspaper Aravot on 2 June
entitled "Without white gloves"
They say that in early 1998 when a coup was being plotted and
"nationalist" forces were going to displace non-nationalist ones, an
official was asked: "How do you see the settlement of the Karabakh
problem?" and he replied: "If it is settled one day, it will be
settled in the way as Levon [Ter-Petrosyan, first Armenian president]
wanted". Politics are dirty business and do not need white gloves at
all.
Approximately the following will be suggested in Bucharest. Armenian
troops should be withdrawn from the occupied five districts. Meanwhile,
communication roads will be opened and refugees will return, Karabakh
will get an "intermediate status", and peacekeeping forces will be
deployed. Actually, the problem of a final status will be put off for
an indefinite period. There is nothing about the "package" settlement,
as the "package" (as it was understood in 1998) supposes the
withdrawal of troops and an independent status for Karabakh or its
unification with Armenia.
Unfortunately, this option is impossible. But this does not mean that
the problem should not be settled at all. If a miracle happens and
Kocharyan and Aliyev come to agreement on the suggested option, that
agreement should be welcomed. There is no need to enumerate advantages
that Armenia and Azerbaijan will gain if lasting peace is established
in the region. Let our authorities describe this option as
"victorious", let them prove that this is not the "stage-by-stage
option" proposed in 1997. Let it be so. Let them only find the
strength to make concessions.
But no miracle will happen in Bucharest. The only thing for which the
two presidents are going to meet is to disrupt the talks, but to do it
in such a way that an opponent will be held responsible for that.
Armenia's positions are stronger in this strategic task. Aliyev, who
became blind because of oil dollars, thinks that he can reach more.
But this "tactical" victory is a very weak consolation.