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ARKADY GHUKASIAN: AZERBAIJAN'S DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACTS ON THE OFFENSIVE; ISN'T IT TIME FOR US ALSO TO ATTACK?
By Marietta Khachatrian, Hadrut-Yerevan
AZG Armenian Daily
14/09/2006
On September 11, president of Nagorno Karabakh, Arkady Ghukasian,
answered journalists' questions in Norashen village of Hadrut region.
- Vartan Oskanian said that if Azerbaijan wants to be productive in
fighting against fires then it has to turn to authorities in Nagorno
Karabakh. The UN has adopted a resolution; an OSCE mission should
visit the region. Did they sand the fact-finding mission, and what
do you think about the possibility to cooperate with Azerbaijan.
- First of all, it was our proposal. When Azerbaijan set up a clamor
about the fires it became clear that it is an artificial clamor
as the fires' authors are Azeris and they are also behind the
propaganda. We repeatedly applied to international organizations
asking to send missions because we ourselves are interested that
the world community has a clear understanding of what is going on in
Nagorno Karabakh's surrounding territories. It was our proposal, and
today as an OSCE mission is getting ready for a visit, it's natural
that they should cooperate with authorities in Karabakh. So far there
was no official application but I am sure it will arrive soon. We are
ready to receive the mission, and I am sure the mission will draw an
objective conclusion from the events in Nagorno Karabakh.
Azerbaijan's goal remains the same: to smear everything connected
with Karabakh.
- Was there any appeal or proposal about cooperation?
- There was no appeal on Azerbaijan's part, and it's natural, as I
don't think they are after cooperation or creation of constructive
atmosphere. Azerbaijan has other goals: to cause problems to Karabakh,
to make the international community to condemn or punish it.
If Azerbaijan comes out with such proposals we will gladly accept
them. We on our part have turned to Azerbaijani leadership, the OSCE
and other international organizations for many times as we find the
more contacts with not only Azerbaijan's leadership but also diverse
organizations, the larger our chances to settle the issues. We have
many problems in contiguous regions connected with water supply, fires
etc, and I am sure that the Azeri population living by the border
is interested in contact as it will help to settle vital issues. But
Azerbaijani authorities have always been opposing to this, refusing
every proposal about contacts. In this case I am sure that Azerbaijan
is concerned not with the essence of the issue but the propaganda
over Karabakh.
- What about Bryza's statements, and is the window of opportunity
already closed for this year? Also, you said in a radio speech that
Karabakh's international recognition can be a way out.
- International recognition has always been an option as we are sure
that Karabakh's future is in de jure recognition of its status. In
regards to the window, we never closed it, just the opposite, we try
to keep the window open, and I am hopeful that the window is open,
and we are ready for a constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan.
- What do you think about transferring the issue to UN?
- I think it's a destructive approach as the OSCE Minsk Group has been
entitled to mediate and any attempt to include other international
organizations can cause chaos in regulation of the issue.
- Can we block these attempts?
- Regrettably Nagorno Karabakh is not represented in these
international structures. Armenia has made its position clear: no
other international organization should take up the issue that is
entitled to the OSCE.
- Do you mean we have to pick up the right diplomatic tools?
- Perhaps the Armenian diplomacy should be more active. Unfortunately,
a situation emerges where Azerbaijan's diplomatic corps is on the
offensive and we have to defend; isn't it time for us to attack too?
By Marietta Khachatrian, Hadrut-Yerevan
AZG Armenian Daily
14/09/2006
On September 11, president of Nagorno Karabakh, Arkady Ghukasian,
answered journalists' questions in Norashen village of Hadrut region.
- Vartan Oskanian said that if Azerbaijan wants to be productive in
fighting against fires then it has to turn to authorities in Nagorno
Karabakh. The UN has adopted a resolution; an OSCE mission should
visit the region. Did they sand the fact-finding mission, and what
do you think about the possibility to cooperate with Azerbaijan.
- First of all, it was our proposal. When Azerbaijan set up a clamor
about the fires it became clear that it is an artificial clamor
as the fires' authors are Azeris and they are also behind the
propaganda. We repeatedly applied to international organizations
asking to send missions because we ourselves are interested that
the world community has a clear understanding of what is going on in
Nagorno Karabakh's surrounding territories. It was our proposal, and
today as an OSCE mission is getting ready for a visit, it's natural
that they should cooperate with authorities in Karabakh. So far there
was no official application but I am sure it will arrive soon. We are
ready to receive the mission, and I am sure the mission will draw an
objective conclusion from the events in Nagorno Karabakh.
Azerbaijan's goal remains the same: to smear everything connected
with Karabakh.
- Was there any appeal or proposal about cooperation?
- There was no appeal on Azerbaijan's part, and it's natural, as I
don't think they are after cooperation or creation of constructive
atmosphere. Azerbaijan has other goals: to cause problems to Karabakh,
to make the international community to condemn or punish it.
If Azerbaijan comes out with such proposals we will gladly accept
them. We on our part have turned to Azerbaijani leadership, the OSCE
and other international organizations for many times as we find the
more contacts with not only Azerbaijan's leadership but also diverse
organizations, the larger our chances to settle the issues. We have
many problems in contiguous regions connected with water supply, fires
etc, and I am sure that the Azeri population living by the border
is interested in contact as it will help to settle vital issues. But
Azerbaijani authorities have always been opposing to this, refusing
every proposal about contacts. In this case I am sure that Azerbaijan
is concerned not with the essence of the issue but the propaganda
over Karabakh.
- What about Bryza's statements, and is the window of opportunity
already closed for this year? Also, you said in a radio speech that
Karabakh's international recognition can be a way out.
- International recognition has always been an option as we are sure
that Karabakh's future is in de jure recognition of its status. In
regards to the window, we never closed it, just the opposite, we try
to keep the window open, and I am hopeful that the window is open,
and we are ready for a constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan.
- What do you think about transferring the issue to UN?
- I think it's a destructive approach as the OSCE Minsk Group has been
entitled to mediate and any attempt to include other international
organizations can cause chaos in regulation of the issue.
- Can we block these attempts?
- Regrettably Nagorno Karabakh is not represented in these
international structures. Armenia has made its position clear: no
other international organization should take up the issue that is
entitled to the OSCE.
- Do you mean we have to pick up the right diplomatic tools?
- Perhaps the Armenian diplomacy should be more active. Unfortunately,
a situation emerges where Azerbaijan's diplomatic corps is on the
offensive and we have to defend; isn't it time for us to attack too?