Tweet
Press and Information Department
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Armenia
Tel. + 37410 544041. ext. 202
Fax. + 37410 565601
e-mail: [email protected]
web: www.armeniaforeignministry.am
Interview of Minister Oskanian to ''Aztag'' Armenian Daily, published in
Beirut, Lebanon
Question: It is true that the UN vote results carry a message to Azerbaijan,
as you mentioned. But don't you think that the event conveys a message to
the Armenian side as well? It's obvious that official Baku wants to take
full advantage of the internal turmoil in Armenia.
Answer: It is true the resolution passed although of course we wish it hadn't.
However, I'm satisfied with the number of countries that did not support it.
I assess their decisions positively. This is a non-binding, or consultative
pronouncement by the General Assembly, I don't think it will have an affect
on the process, unless Azerbaijan is engaged not just in deception but
self-deception.
It was unnecessary, ill-timed, mean-spirited, both as a process and a
product.
If they expect to use this for anything other than their domestic purposes,
if they have convinced themselves that the international community truly
supports the one-sided desires they had enumerated in the text of this
resolution, then this will cause serious problems in the negotations. One
thing must be clear for Azerbaijan - that no amount of resolutions will make
Nagorno Karabakh deviate from its path of self-determination.
Show me one example in history when a conflict has been resolved by the
passage or acceptance of a document by an international organization or by
third countries. There hasn't happened and it's not going to happen now,
certainly not in the case of Nagorno Karabakh. In 1948, the UN General
Assembly resolution to partition Palestine didn't solve anything. More
recently, the Security Council resolution on Kosovo also didn't manage to
bring the sides together in a meaningful way. I remember in Lisbon when the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office made a statement about Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan's
joy knew no limits. It took years for Azerbaijan to understand that that
document had no value.
As for the patgam to Armenia, it's not the patgam of the international
community. It's the patgam of Azerbaijan alone. By insisting on this
non-binding, non-collective statement, Azerbaijan demonstrated two things -
that it wants to retreat from the Minsk Group process, and therefore from
the content of the document on the table; and that it is only willing to
negotiate what it wants, and not a compromise. That, unfortunately, is the
batgam we have received from all this.
Question: There are signs that such behavior by Azerbaijan may continue
both in the form of ceasefire violations and in increased attempts to
mislead the international public in the diplomatic arena. What do you
foresee?
Answer: Fortunately, we will have an opportunity soon to find out what
Azerbaijan's intentions are. There is a possibility that Armenia's
President-Elect will meet with the Azerbaijani President in Bucharest, in
the framework of the NATO-EAPC Summit. We've stated our readiness to
participate, I know the co-chairs will make such a proposal, and I know the
Azeris have also hinted that they are ready to continue the dialogue at the
highest levels. During that first meeting this issue can be clarified.
President-Elect Sargsyan can ask President Aliyev point blank - if you truly
believe in the content of this resolution and if that will be your
guideline, then there's nothing to talk about and let's not waste our time.
But if you're still committed to the negotiating document on the table
today, then let's get serious and go the short distance that's left.
Indeed, the UN resolution text and the content of the negotiating document
are incompatible; most of the international community recognized this which
is why they did not support it. The international community was also
perturbed by Azerbaijan's recent serious breaches of the ceasefire. These
two things taken together should indeed make the international community
think whether Azerbaijan is serious about its commitments to peace. We are.
We will do what we must, adopt new policies if necessary, to secure Karabakh's
self-determination and security.
Question: Today there's a need to change Armenia's image, as well as to
conduct an accurate and objective assessment domestic political
developments. How do you envision that process, especially when it comes to
coordinating between the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora?
Answer: Indeed, Armenia has taken a beating because of the riots and the
deaths. And when the international community comes inquiring about the
situation, they are not interested in asking or knowing who is responsible
for what. They look at this as an Armenian mess, an Armenian tragedy, an
Armenian problem and judge us all together. It's not the government that's
damaged, it's not the opposition that's discredited, it's Armenia that is
dishonored.
We must accept their criticism, listen to their disappointment, share their
frustration and try to make certain that this is not a permanent setback,
but a temporary aberration from the path to which we're commited. I hope I'm
not wrong. We will be tested by what happens in the coming weeks and monhs.
What is very encouraging is that despite all that has happened, there's a
lot of good will towards Armenia, a lot of hope pinned on Armenia, and a
sincere desire to see us come through this in a meaningful way, not just
superficially moving forward with business as usual.
This is also a challenge for the Diaspora. The Diaspora is obviously shocked
and disappointed by the way events have evolved. But we all are. Now it is
time for Armenia and the Diaspora together to navigate through this
polarized and paralyzing situation, find ways to build faith, to encourage
sustained, continuous engagement, to insist on and support institutional
change. In other words, to continue the difficult task of nation-building.
What the Diaspora cannot do, as some have suggested, is to boycott Armenia,
to reject Armenia-based organizations, to blame Armenia for not being the
country of their dreams. I understand the disappointment, I don't
understand the expectations or the reaction. This is when we in Armenia
need the Diaspora, this is when the Diaspora must say what the international
community is saying - we are disappointed in what has happened and we stand
ready to work with you to bring Armenia out of this crisis. This is not the
time to disown the family. This is the time for systematic and broad
cooperation.
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Armenia
Tel. + 37410 544041. ext. 202
Fax. + 37410 565601
e-mail: [email protected]
web: www.armeniaforeignministry.am
Interview of Minister Oskanian to ''Aztag'' Armenian Daily, published in
Beirut, Lebanon
Question: It is true that the UN vote results carry a message to Azerbaijan,
as you mentioned. But don't you think that the event conveys a message to
the Armenian side as well? It's obvious that official Baku wants to take
full advantage of the internal turmoil in Armenia.
Answer: It is true the resolution passed although of course we wish it hadn't.
However, I'm satisfied with the number of countries that did not support it.
I assess their decisions positively. This is a non-binding, or consultative
pronouncement by the General Assembly, I don't think it will have an affect
on the process, unless Azerbaijan is engaged not just in deception but
self-deception.
It was unnecessary, ill-timed, mean-spirited, both as a process and a
product.
If they expect to use this for anything other than their domestic purposes,
if they have convinced themselves that the international community truly
supports the one-sided desires they had enumerated in the text of this
resolution, then this will cause serious problems in the negotations. One
thing must be clear for Azerbaijan - that no amount of resolutions will make
Nagorno Karabakh deviate from its path of self-determination.
Show me one example in history when a conflict has been resolved by the
passage or acceptance of a document by an international organization or by
third countries. There hasn't happened and it's not going to happen now,
certainly not in the case of Nagorno Karabakh. In 1948, the UN General
Assembly resolution to partition Palestine didn't solve anything. More
recently, the Security Council resolution on Kosovo also didn't manage to
bring the sides together in a meaningful way. I remember in Lisbon when the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office made a statement about Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan's
joy knew no limits. It took years for Azerbaijan to understand that that
document had no value.
As for the patgam to Armenia, it's not the patgam of the international
community. It's the patgam of Azerbaijan alone. By insisting on this
non-binding, non-collective statement, Azerbaijan demonstrated two things -
that it wants to retreat from the Minsk Group process, and therefore from
the content of the document on the table; and that it is only willing to
negotiate what it wants, and not a compromise. That, unfortunately, is the
batgam we have received from all this.
Question: There are signs that such behavior by Azerbaijan may continue
both in the form of ceasefire violations and in increased attempts to
mislead the international public in the diplomatic arena. What do you
foresee?
Answer: Fortunately, we will have an opportunity soon to find out what
Azerbaijan's intentions are. There is a possibility that Armenia's
President-Elect will meet with the Azerbaijani President in Bucharest, in
the framework of the NATO-EAPC Summit. We've stated our readiness to
participate, I know the co-chairs will make such a proposal, and I know the
Azeris have also hinted that they are ready to continue the dialogue at the
highest levels. During that first meeting this issue can be clarified.
President-Elect Sargsyan can ask President Aliyev point blank - if you truly
believe in the content of this resolution and if that will be your
guideline, then there's nothing to talk about and let's not waste our time.
But if you're still committed to the negotiating document on the table
today, then let's get serious and go the short distance that's left.
Indeed, the UN resolution text and the content of the negotiating document
are incompatible; most of the international community recognized this which
is why they did not support it. The international community was also
perturbed by Azerbaijan's recent serious breaches of the ceasefire. These
two things taken together should indeed make the international community
think whether Azerbaijan is serious about its commitments to peace. We are.
We will do what we must, adopt new policies if necessary, to secure Karabakh's
self-determination and security.
Question: Today there's a need to change Armenia's image, as well as to
conduct an accurate and objective assessment domestic political
developments. How do you envision that process, especially when it comes to
coordinating between the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora?
Answer: Indeed, Armenia has taken a beating because of the riots and the
deaths. And when the international community comes inquiring about the
situation, they are not interested in asking or knowing who is responsible
for what. They look at this as an Armenian mess, an Armenian tragedy, an
Armenian problem and judge us all together. It's not the government that's
damaged, it's not the opposition that's discredited, it's Armenia that is
dishonored.
We must accept their criticism, listen to their disappointment, share their
frustration and try to make certain that this is not a permanent setback,
but a temporary aberration from the path to which we're commited. I hope I'm
not wrong. We will be tested by what happens in the coming weeks and monhs.
What is very encouraging is that despite all that has happened, there's a
lot of good will towards Armenia, a lot of hope pinned on Armenia, and a
sincere desire to see us come through this in a meaningful way, not just
superficially moving forward with business as usual.
This is also a challenge for the Diaspora. The Diaspora is obviously shocked
and disappointed by the way events have evolved. But we all are. Now it is
time for Armenia and the Diaspora together to navigate through this
polarized and paralyzing situation, find ways to build faith, to encourage
sustained, continuous engagement, to insist on and support institutional
change. In other words, to continue the difficult task of nation-building.
What the Diaspora cannot do, as some have suggested, is to boycott Armenia,
to reject Armenia-based organizations, to blame Armenia for not being the
country of their dreams. I understand the disappointment, I don't
understand the expectations or the reaction. This is when we in Armenia
need the Diaspora, this is when the Diaspora must say what the international
community is saying - we are disappointed in what has happened and we stand
ready to work with you to bring Armenia out of this crisis. This is not the
time to disown the family. This is the time for systematic and broad
cooperation.