WPS Agency, Russia
February 4, 2013 Monday
LIFTING OF THE BLOCKADE
BY: Victor Loshak
Source: Kommersant, No 19/P, February 4, 2013, p. 6
[Translated from Russian]
AN INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA SERJ SARGSJAN; An interview
with President of Armenia Serj Sargsjan.
Armenia will elect its president on February 18. According to The
Gallup Organization, Serj Sargsjan has the support of 66% Armenians
and no rivals.
Question: What do you think of the prospects of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement?
Serj Sargsjan: Its residents themselves ought to decide what political
status they want for themselves. This is a textbook example of
struggle for self-determination... I do not know of a single argument
explaining why the people of Artsakh ought to be denied this right.
A nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council, Azerbaijan
essentially forced an arms race on Armenia. Azerbaijan openly defies
its own obligations under the terms of the CFE Treaty.
Negotiations with Azerbaijani continue but expecting any progress from
the talks is pointless. Everyone knows whose fault it is. Everyone
knows who deliberately blew the talks in Key-West and Kazan.
Question: Is there anything Russia can do to make the issue less volatile?
Serj Sargsjan: Like France and the United States, Russia is an
important participant and intermediary in the process. There would
have been no 1994 truce without Russia.
I'd like to thank the Russian leadership for its involvement and for
participation in the search for a solution to the problem.
Question: Removal of the railroad blockade is a possibility these
days. A way to and from Armenia via Abkhazia might be opened. What
will it mean for Armenia?
Serj Sargsjan: When the blockade is finally lifted, it will be a great
day for Armenia and is economy.
[Translated from Russian]
February 4, 2013 Monday
LIFTING OF THE BLOCKADE
BY: Victor Loshak
Source: Kommersant, No 19/P, February 4, 2013, p. 6
[Translated from Russian]
AN INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA SERJ SARGSJAN; An interview
with President of Armenia Serj Sargsjan.
Armenia will elect its president on February 18. According to The
Gallup Organization, Serj Sargsjan has the support of 66% Armenians
and no rivals.
Question: What do you think of the prospects of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement?
Serj Sargsjan: Its residents themselves ought to decide what political
status they want for themselves. This is a textbook example of
struggle for self-determination... I do not know of a single argument
explaining why the people of Artsakh ought to be denied this right.
A nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council, Azerbaijan
essentially forced an arms race on Armenia. Azerbaijan openly defies
its own obligations under the terms of the CFE Treaty.
Negotiations with Azerbaijani continue but expecting any progress from
the talks is pointless. Everyone knows whose fault it is. Everyone
knows who deliberately blew the talks in Key-West and Kazan.
Question: Is there anything Russia can do to make the issue less volatile?
Serj Sargsjan: Like France and the United States, Russia is an
important participant and intermediary in the process. There would
have been no 1994 truce without Russia.
I'd like to thank the Russian leadership for its involvement and for
participation in the search for a solution to the problem.
Question: Removal of the railroad blockade is a possibility these
days. A way to and from Armenia via Abkhazia might be opened. What
will it mean for Armenia?
Serj Sargsjan: When the blockade is finally lifted, it will be a great
day for Armenia and is economy.
[Translated from Russian]