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NAGORNO-KARABAKH HAS NO "ROAD MAP"
by Yury Simonyan
DEFENSE and SECURITY
March 3, 2008 Monday
Russia
The main task for the unrecognized republics is self-identification
INTERVIEW OF FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC
GEORGY PETROSYAN; Recognition of the independence of Kosovo served
as a signal for the self-declared republics on the territory of the
former USSR. Foreign Minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic, Georgy Petrosyan, spoke about the possible consequences of
such important international event.
Recognition of the independence of Kosovo served as a signal for the
self-declared republics on the territory of the former USSR. Foreign
Minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Georgy
Petrosyan, spoke about the possible consequences of such important
international event.
Question: The US played a huge role in the recognition of Kosovo.
Along with this, if we focus our attention we can see a clear original
"road map." Does Stepanakert have something like this?
Petrosyan: There are significant differences between Kosovo and
Stepanakert. The similarity is only in the legal field. The "road map"
for Kosovo was developed by an actor from the outside. The fate of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is in our own hands. The negotiation
process goes on without our participation and this is hardly correct.
This is a kind of nonsense to determine someone's future without
asking them.
The task of development is actually formed for the authorities and
for the nation now. This is for development and not survival. For
this purpose, it is necessary to achieve the status of a free subject
and to be citizens. This is one of the main strategic goals set by
Nagorno-Karabakh for itself. It concerns both the nation and the
authorities.
Question: There is an impression that Nagorno-Karabakh is separated
from other unrecognized states of the post-Soviet space. The
Trans-Dniester Republic, Abkhazia and South Ossetia contact each
other actively and establish organizations and Nagorno-Karabakh is
somehow aside.
Petrosyan: Nagorno-Karabakh is an observer of these
processes. Along with this, we are in permanent contact with other
unrecognized states. Our representative is permanently present at
inter-parliamentary assemblies. However, each country chooses the
formats and a certain model suitable for it independently. In this
case our stance is the following: we do not give the communication
up at all but also do not act in a unified front.
Question: The topic of future of Nagorno-Karabakh grew important
lately. Will it be an independent unit or will it be within Armenia?
Petrosyan: My answer as a person and a minister is independence.
Question: Will there be two Armenian states?
Petrosyan: I do not find any discomfort in this. There are Arab
countries with common roots and there is Kosovo and Albania. An
inevitable question results: what is Armenia in this case? Armenia
is a recognized state that has all the necessary attributes and has
passed 15 years of independence. We consider Armenia a guarantee of
our security and independence but Nagorno-Karabakh is almost as old.
Question: As a rule, two principles are laid down in the
basis of conflict resolving, this is the right of a nation for
self-determination and territorial integrity. How can these two
principles be combined in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh?
Petrosyan: The terminology is often absurd. Let us start from what
we want. Do we want the elimination of a conflict, its resolving or
regulation? Despite the similarity these are different approaches. If
we move towards the elimination of a conflict we need to use one
kind of model, if we move towards resolving, we need to use another
model and if we move towards regulation this is like plastering a
growing crack. We need to end the conflict. This is actually the
problem of the negotiation process on Nagorno-Karabakh. We need to
seek approaches that take into account the Helsinki agreement, which
has ten equal principles. We do not need to try to unite them.
Question: How can this be done without a return of the Azerbaijani
refugees?
Petrosyan: I have a counter question: how can this be done without the
return of Armenian refugees. I would like to address this question
to the Azerbaijani party and to the intermediaries. We never set a
task of creating a ghetto on our territory.
Question: Is Armenian society prepared for this?
Petrosyan: We have no xenophobia but it is too early to speak about
readiness to start the process. Baku is not ready for this either.
Just recall the reaction to the trip of representatives of Azerbaijani
intellectuals together with Armenian cultural and scientific leaders
to Nagorno-Karabakh when the respectable people were exposed to
harsh critique.
Question: Can peace ever be established between Armenians and
Azerbaijanis?
Petrosyan: This is inevitable. Naturally, nobody can say when this
will happen but the current situation cannot last forever. It is
unnatural and contrary to human nature.
From: Baghdasarian
by Yury Simonyan
DEFENSE and SECURITY
March 3, 2008 Monday
Russia
The main task for the unrecognized republics is self-identification
INTERVIEW OF FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC
GEORGY PETROSYAN; Recognition of the independence of Kosovo served
as a signal for the self-declared republics on the territory of the
former USSR. Foreign Minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic, Georgy Petrosyan, spoke about the possible consequences of
such important international event.
Recognition of the independence of Kosovo served as a signal for the
self-declared republics on the territory of the former USSR. Foreign
Minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Georgy
Petrosyan, spoke about the possible consequences of such important
international event.
Question: The US played a huge role in the recognition of Kosovo.
Along with this, if we focus our attention we can see a clear original
"road map." Does Stepanakert have something like this?
Petrosyan: There are significant differences between Kosovo and
Stepanakert. The similarity is only in the legal field. The "road map"
for Kosovo was developed by an actor from the outside. The fate of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is in our own hands. The negotiation
process goes on without our participation and this is hardly correct.
This is a kind of nonsense to determine someone's future without
asking them.
The task of development is actually formed for the authorities and
for the nation now. This is for development and not survival. For
this purpose, it is necessary to achieve the status of a free subject
and to be citizens. This is one of the main strategic goals set by
Nagorno-Karabakh for itself. It concerns both the nation and the
authorities.
Question: There is an impression that Nagorno-Karabakh is separated
from other unrecognized states of the post-Soviet space. The
Trans-Dniester Republic, Abkhazia and South Ossetia contact each
other actively and establish organizations and Nagorno-Karabakh is
somehow aside.
Petrosyan: Nagorno-Karabakh is an observer of these
processes. Along with this, we are in permanent contact with other
unrecognized states. Our representative is permanently present at
inter-parliamentary assemblies. However, each country chooses the
formats and a certain model suitable for it independently. In this
case our stance is the following: we do not give the communication
up at all but also do not act in a unified front.
Question: The topic of future of Nagorno-Karabakh grew important
lately. Will it be an independent unit or will it be within Armenia?
Petrosyan: My answer as a person and a minister is independence.
Question: Will there be two Armenian states?
Petrosyan: I do not find any discomfort in this. There are Arab
countries with common roots and there is Kosovo and Albania. An
inevitable question results: what is Armenia in this case? Armenia
is a recognized state that has all the necessary attributes and has
passed 15 years of independence. We consider Armenia a guarantee of
our security and independence but Nagorno-Karabakh is almost as old.
Question: As a rule, two principles are laid down in the
basis of conflict resolving, this is the right of a nation for
self-determination and territorial integrity. How can these two
principles be combined in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh?
Petrosyan: The terminology is often absurd. Let us start from what
we want. Do we want the elimination of a conflict, its resolving or
regulation? Despite the similarity these are different approaches. If
we move towards the elimination of a conflict we need to use one
kind of model, if we move towards resolving, we need to use another
model and if we move towards regulation this is like plastering a
growing crack. We need to end the conflict. This is actually the
problem of the negotiation process on Nagorno-Karabakh. We need to
seek approaches that take into account the Helsinki agreement, which
has ten equal principles. We do not need to try to unite them.
Question: How can this be done without a return of the Azerbaijani
refugees?
Petrosyan: I have a counter question: how can this be done without the
return of Armenian refugees. I would like to address this question
to the Azerbaijani party and to the intermediaries. We never set a
task of creating a ghetto on our territory.
Question: Is Armenian society prepared for this?
Petrosyan: We have no xenophobia but it is too early to speak about
readiness to start the process. Baku is not ready for this either.
Just recall the reaction to the trip of representatives of Azerbaijani
intellectuals together with Armenian cultural and scientific leaders
to Nagorno-Karabakh when the respectable people were exposed to
harsh critique.
Question: Can peace ever be established between Armenians and
Azerbaijanis?
Petrosyan: This is inevitable. Naturally, nobody can say when this
will happen but the current situation cannot last forever. It is
unnatural and contrary to human nature.
From: Baghdasarian