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VAHRAM ATANESYAN'S ADVICE TO SABINE FREIZER
May 31 2013
"Not to take on the role of the pioneer of the copyright to the
proposal of replacing the fragile peace with 'hotheaded solutions'
for the sake of self-affirmation or for some mercantile reasons." "I
don't think that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has ever made errors
with regard to the solution of the issue of its participation in the
negotiation process, which might compel it to take a new initiative
now," Vahram Atanesyan, the chairman of the NKR National Assembly
Foreign Relations Commission, said during a conversation with Aravot.
We had inquired of Mr. Atanesyan whether the NKR didn't intend to
take new initiatives to solve the issue of its participation in
the negotiation process, since it was obvious that invigoration of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process was expected, to
which a set of statements made by representatives of international
organizations recently testified. "The position of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) that Stepanakert should participate in negotiations
at all stages is well-known. The success of the settlement depends on
that, and who is really interested in the resolution of problems should
initiate NKR's equal involvement in negotiations himself. Otherwise,
one is under the impression that the current situation is in the
interests of both Azerbaijan and the mediators. In that case, let us
admit that it is quite hard for the NKR to initiate a 'breakthrough,'"
our interlocutor said. Sabine Freizer, the Director of the Europe
Program, International Crisis Group, stated that the OSCE Minsk Group's
mandate had expired, and that new approaches to and formats for the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement needed to be found. We inquired
whether one could assert that the expert was right, considering that
the issue hadn't come close to a resolution under the auspices of the
Minsk Group for 25 years now. The NKR MP replied: "This is not the
first time the Director of the Europe Program, International Crisis
Group, has made 'dark predictions.' It seems that this is another
manifestation of interest in the energy sources of the Caspian Sea,
to say the least.
One thing is clear: Sabine Freizer did not form the OSCE Minsk Group,
and she is not to create 'new formats.' The temptation that one
can find 'quick solutions' on a different international platform
is very dangerous, fraught with serious shocks for the region
and Europe. I would advise the Director of the Europe Program,
International Crisis Group, not to take on the role of the pioneer
of the copyright to the proposal of replacing the fragile peace with
'hotheaded solutions' for the sake of self-affirmation or for some
mercantile reasons." The rather strong statement made by Sergey Lavrov,
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, recently
that "certainly, the status quo is unacceptable; moreover, it is
unacceptable for everyone - first of all, for Azerbaijan, Armenia,
and those who live in Nagorno-Karabakh. I am quite sure of that. The
status quo means not only failure to solve the issue of the Azeri
territories' return but also Armenia's economic blockade. That is the
reason why there is no need to convince anyone in the unacceptability
of maintaining that situation," was controversial. We inquired of
Vahram Atanesyan whether he thought that the Russian Federation's
strong words would be followed by decisive actions, and what the end
of it would be. "My perception is that one pays more attention to the
Russian Foreign Minister's statement than it deserves. Sergey Lavrov
didn't say anything new if we take into account the fact that the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chair countries' leaders, including the President of
the Russian Federation, have expressed the common conception of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement thrice already. Lavrov didn't
say more than Putin or Medvedev had. Perhaps the fact that this was
at a joint press conference with Mamedyarov is important in terms of
perception. But it is high time that we rise above sentimentality,
isn't it? "Ceremonial is ceremonial and reality is reality," was
the MP's reply. As to what changes the Armenian sides would make to
their strategy and tactic, and what new priorities they would put
forward, according to our interlocutor, "if one manages to engage
different powers in the resolution of the problem, to counterbalance
Azerbaijan's aspirations, it is success already." He thinks that it
is the case. "Certainly, one should discuss the issue of additional
initiatives. However, one shouldn't talk about that ahead of time."
NELLY GRIGORYAN Aravot Daily
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/05/31/154613/
© 1998 - 2013 Aravot - News from Armenia
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
May 31 2013
"Not to take on the role of the pioneer of the copyright to the
proposal of replacing the fragile peace with 'hotheaded solutions'
for the sake of self-affirmation or for some mercantile reasons." "I
don't think that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has ever made errors
with regard to the solution of the issue of its participation in the
negotiation process, which might compel it to take a new initiative
now," Vahram Atanesyan, the chairman of the NKR National Assembly
Foreign Relations Commission, said during a conversation with Aravot.
We had inquired of Mr. Atanesyan whether the NKR didn't intend to
take new initiatives to solve the issue of its participation in
the negotiation process, since it was obvious that invigoration of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process was expected, to
which a set of statements made by representatives of international
organizations recently testified. "The position of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR) that Stepanakert should participate in negotiations
at all stages is well-known. The success of the settlement depends on
that, and who is really interested in the resolution of problems should
initiate NKR's equal involvement in negotiations himself. Otherwise,
one is under the impression that the current situation is in the
interests of both Azerbaijan and the mediators. In that case, let us
admit that it is quite hard for the NKR to initiate a 'breakthrough,'"
our interlocutor said. Sabine Freizer, the Director of the Europe
Program, International Crisis Group, stated that the OSCE Minsk Group's
mandate had expired, and that new approaches to and formats for the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement needed to be found. We inquired
whether one could assert that the expert was right, considering that
the issue hadn't come close to a resolution under the auspices of the
Minsk Group for 25 years now. The NKR MP replied: "This is not the
first time the Director of the Europe Program, International Crisis
Group, has made 'dark predictions.' It seems that this is another
manifestation of interest in the energy sources of the Caspian Sea,
to say the least.
One thing is clear: Sabine Freizer did not form the OSCE Minsk Group,
and she is not to create 'new formats.' The temptation that one
can find 'quick solutions' on a different international platform
is very dangerous, fraught with serious shocks for the region
and Europe. I would advise the Director of the Europe Program,
International Crisis Group, not to take on the role of the pioneer
of the copyright to the proposal of replacing the fragile peace with
'hotheaded solutions' for the sake of self-affirmation or for some
mercantile reasons." The rather strong statement made by Sergey Lavrov,
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, recently
that "certainly, the status quo is unacceptable; moreover, it is
unacceptable for everyone - first of all, for Azerbaijan, Armenia,
and those who live in Nagorno-Karabakh. I am quite sure of that. The
status quo means not only failure to solve the issue of the Azeri
territories' return but also Armenia's economic blockade. That is the
reason why there is no need to convince anyone in the unacceptability
of maintaining that situation," was controversial. We inquired of
Vahram Atanesyan whether he thought that the Russian Federation's
strong words would be followed by decisive actions, and what the end
of it would be. "My perception is that one pays more attention to the
Russian Foreign Minister's statement than it deserves. Sergey Lavrov
didn't say anything new if we take into account the fact that the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chair countries' leaders, including the President of
the Russian Federation, have expressed the common conception of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement thrice already. Lavrov didn't
say more than Putin or Medvedev had. Perhaps the fact that this was
at a joint press conference with Mamedyarov is important in terms of
perception. But it is high time that we rise above sentimentality,
isn't it? "Ceremonial is ceremonial and reality is reality," was
the MP's reply. As to what changes the Armenian sides would make to
their strategy and tactic, and what new priorities they would put
forward, according to our interlocutor, "if one manages to engage
different powers in the resolution of the problem, to counterbalance
Azerbaijan's aspirations, it is success already." He thinks that it
is the case. "Certainly, one should discuss the issue of additional
initiatives. However, one shouldn't talk about that ahead of time."
NELLY GRIGORYAN Aravot Daily
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2013/05/31/154613/
© 1998 - 2013 Aravot - News from Armenia
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress