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Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 9 2010
LINKS research: Armenian politicians not take into account interests
of Azerbaijani population of Nagorno-Karabakh displaced by conflict
by E. Tariverdiyeva, Trend News Agency, Baku, Azerbaijan
Dec. 09--LINKS today published the first part of its report "Karabakh:
the big debate", Dennis Sammut, executive director of the British NGO
LINKS, told Trend.
"This first part reflects the views of Armenian political parties
contained in interviews with leaders of 23 political parties. A second
part of the report, with views of the Azerbaijani political parties
will be released later this month," Sammut wrote by e-mail.
In the future we also hope to publish the views of Armenian
politicians in Karabakh and Azerbaijani politicians from Karabakh
displaced by the conflict, he said.
"This work is part of our effort to increase the discussion on the
Karabakh conflict and its settlement within and between Armenians and
Azerbaijanis. This discussion will help the peace negotiations between
the two countries," he said.
Many Armenian politicians felt that the EU should do more to resolve
the conflict. The European Union currently supports a number of civil
society activities on this issue, he said.
"Since both Armenia and Azerbaijan are now partners of the European in
the Eastern Partnership, and both also want to deepen their
relationship with the EU, there is in my view an opportunity for a
more active engagement, as long as both sides want this. I do not
think the EU is interested in imposing itself on the sides, but if
asked by both sides it will I am sure not fail to respond," he said.
An interesting factor which emerges from the study is that many of the
current leaders of Armenian political parties actually fought in the
1989-1994 conflict. This makes the issue a very personal matter for
these leaders, who also feel that they have a stake in its outcome.
"There is broad consensus amongst Armenian politicians that any
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict needs first and foremost
take into account the views and the welfare of the Armenian population
of the territory. Most parties say that this can only be achieved
through independence for Nagorno-Karabakh. Some call for immediate
recognition of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. However,
there is little consideration given to the place, if any, of the
Azerbaijani population of Nagorno-Karabakh displaced by the conflict,"
a message said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group -- Russia, France, and the United
States -- are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding
regions.
From: A. Papazian
Dec 9 2010
LINKS research: Armenian politicians not take into account interests
of Azerbaijani population of Nagorno-Karabakh displaced by conflict
by E. Tariverdiyeva, Trend News Agency, Baku, Azerbaijan
Dec. 09--LINKS today published the first part of its report "Karabakh:
the big debate", Dennis Sammut, executive director of the British NGO
LINKS, told Trend.
"This first part reflects the views of Armenian political parties
contained in interviews with leaders of 23 political parties. A second
part of the report, with views of the Azerbaijani political parties
will be released later this month," Sammut wrote by e-mail.
In the future we also hope to publish the views of Armenian
politicians in Karabakh and Azerbaijani politicians from Karabakh
displaced by the conflict, he said.
"This work is part of our effort to increase the discussion on the
Karabakh conflict and its settlement within and between Armenians and
Azerbaijanis. This discussion will help the peace negotiations between
the two countries," he said.
Many Armenian politicians felt that the EU should do more to resolve
the conflict. The European Union currently supports a number of civil
society activities on this issue, he said.
"Since both Armenia and Azerbaijan are now partners of the European in
the Eastern Partnership, and both also want to deepen their
relationship with the EU, there is in my view an opportunity for a
more active engagement, as long as both sides want this. I do not
think the EU is interested in imposing itself on the sides, but if
asked by both sides it will I am sure not fail to respond," he said.
An interesting factor which emerges from the study is that many of the
current leaders of Armenian political parties actually fought in the
1989-1994 conflict. This makes the issue a very personal matter for
these leaders, who also feel that they have a stake in its outcome.
"There is broad consensus amongst Armenian politicians that any
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict needs first and foremost
take into account the views and the welfare of the Armenian population
of the territory. Most parties say that this can only be achieved
through independence for Nagorno-Karabakh. Some call for immediate
recognition of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. However,
there is little consideration given to the place, if any, of the
Azerbaijani population of Nagorno-Karabakh displaced by the conflict,"
a message said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group -- Russia, France, and the United
States -- are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding
regions.
From: A. Papazian