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NAGORNO-KARABAKH - TIME TO END THE CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS
TransConflict Jan 30 2014
January 30, 2014 8:26 pm By Edgar Khachatryan
TransConflict is pleased to present an open letter by Edgar
Khachatryan, director of Peace Dialogue from Armenia, a member of the
Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation, addressed to all those
individuals and organizations involved in the negotiation process
related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
A few hours ago I would not even think of taking this step. However,
it was only a few hours ago. It was a few hours ago when I did
not fully realize that I could not deal with this situation in the
region anymore, when I was simply listening to the news broadcasts
through local and international media regarding yet another ceasefire
violation.
Only a few hours ago I realized that, perhaps, before I did not have
the courage to voice everything that I am going say in the following
letter. To be more precise, I simply realized that one day somebody
has got to say the things that I am going to say now.
Now I am trying to picture what possible answers I would receive
from each of you in case I would have had the chance to address
my proposition to each of you personally. I am trying to formulate
numerous possible responses that I may receive from you; however I
understand that none of those answers can justify the deaths of the
Armenian or Azerbaijani young soldiers or the losses and the firearm
injury cases among the civilian population.
I am a citizen who is equally sorry for the deaths of all the
soldiers. Be sure that I do not see a difference between a widowed
woman, a child growing up without a father, or a parent who lost
his/her child. I am sure that the pain and the grief of these people
know no boundaries or nationalities.
It would be a narrow-mindedness to announce that it is an easy
task to do. However, I think that when accepting the positions
of the presidents, you were well aware of the difficulty and
the responsibility that you were to deal with when taking on the
obligations of the first person in your respective countries.
Regardless of the circumstances, it is not possible to represent the
interests of your own society at the same time ignoring them. Is there
any country which has interest in losing its own citizens? Do you
believe that the pain of the family that lost a son become bearable
in case another family who is considered to be the guilty party loses
a son too? We all know very well that the violence can give birth to
only new, more intense and more brutal violence.
Therefore I call upon you to be consistent and do everything possible
and impossible to end the ceasefire violations. For many years, from
numerous platforms, you have announced that there is no alternative
to the peaceful resolution of the conflict and have reassured that you
are interested in finding a way of this situation through negotiation
process. Well then stop the propaganda prepared for your "domestic"
audience and do whatever you have promised to do.
I urge you to show political will and put an end to the continuous
bloodshed and the human losses. Stop blaming each other. Do not try
to assure me that the bloodshed and the losses are justified and that
they serve to some greater ideas. The greatest idea and value is the
human life. Do not sacrifice your own citizens just to cover up your
own inability in finding a diplomatic solution to the issue.
I call upon all the societies involved in the conflict to give up
the militaristic propaganda that has been spread for some political
reasons and to be more demanding. Demand from the authorities to take
actions in the interest of their nations! No violence and no war is
in the interest of any nation.
My dream is not too idealistic and deep in my heart I cherish the hope
that there will be people among both my fellow countryman and the
Azerbaijani people, as well as among my colleagues or just ordinary
citizens who will share my worries and will join my plea.
I would be more than happy if the international organizations
supporting the governments of the countries involved in the negotiation
process and the people in these countries are able to do everything
possible to find a reasonable way out of the situation. I assure you
that there is hardly anyone among the citizens who may think that a
new war will contribute to the solution of the problem.
Therefore I expect equal intolerance towards the existing situation
from your side too and specific actions to prevent bloodshed in
the region.
Edgar Khachatryan is the director of Peace Dialogue, a member of the
Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation. Further information
about this project is available by clicking here.
http://www.transconflict.com/2014/01/nagorno-karabakh-time-end-ceasefire-violations/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
TransConflict Jan 30 2014
January 30, 2014 8:26 pm By Edgar Khachatryan
TransConflict is pleased to present an open letter by Edgar
Khachatryan, director of Peace Dialogue from Armenia, a member of the
Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation, addressed to all those
individuals and organizations involved in the negotiation process
related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
A few hours ago I would not even think of taking this step. However,
it was only a few hours ago. It was a few hours ago when I did
not fully realize that I could not deal with this situation in the
region anymore, when I was simply listening to the news broadcasts
through local and international media regarding yet another ceasefire
violation.
Only a few hours ago I realized that, perhaps, before I did not have
the courage to voice everything that I am going say in the following
letter. To be more precise, I simply realized that one day somebody
has got to say the things that I am going to say now.
Now I am trying to picture what possible answers I would receive
from each of you in case I would have had the chance to address
my proposition to each of you personally. I am trying to formulate
numerous possible responses that I may receive from you; however I
understand that none of those answers can justify the deaths of the
Armenian or Azerbaijani young soldiers or the losses and the firearm
injury cases among the civilian population.
I am a citizen who is equally sorry for the deaths of all the
soldiers. Be sure that I do not see a difference between a widowed
woman, a child growing up without a father, or a parent who lost
his/her child. I am sure that the pain and the grief of these people
know no boundaries or nationalities.
It would be a narrow-mindedness to announce that it is an easy
task to do. However, I think that when accepting the positions
of the presidents, you were well aware of the difficulty and
the responsibility that you were to deal with when taking on the
obligations of the first person in your respective countries.
Regardless of the circumstances, it is not possible to represent the
interests of your own society at the same time ignoring them. Is there
any country which has interest in losing its own citizens? Do you
believe that the pain of the family that lost a son become bearable
in case another family who is considered to be the guilty party loses
a son too? We all know very well that the violence can give birth to
only new, more intense and more brutal violence.
Therefore I call upon you to be consistent and do everything possible
and impossible to end the ceasefire violations. For many years, from
numerous platforms, you have announced that there is no alternative
to the peaceful resolution of the conflict and have reassured that you
are interested in finding a way of this situation through negotiation
process. Well then stop the propaganda prepared for your "domestic"
audience and do whatever you have promised to do.
I urge you to show political will and put an end to the continuous
bloodshed and the human losses. Stop blaming each other. Do not try
to assure me that the bloodshed and the losses are justified and that
they serve to some greater ideas. The greatest idea and value is the
human life. Do not sacrifice your own citizens just to cover up your
own inability in finding a diplomatic solution to the issue.
I call upon all the societies involved in the conflict to give up
the militaristic propaganda that has been spread for some political
reasons and to be more demanding. Demand from the authorities to take
actions in the interest of their nations! No violence and no war is
in the interest of any nation.
My dream is not too idealistic and deep in my heart I cherish the hope
that there will be people among both my fellow countryman and the
Azerbaijani people, as well as among my colleagues or just ordinary
citizens who will share my worries and will join my plea.
I would be more than happy if the international organizations
supporting the governments of the countries involved in the negotiation
process and the people in these countries are able to do everything
possible to find a reasonable way out of the situation. I assure you
that there is hardly anyone among the citizens who may think that a
new war will contribute to the solution of the problem.
Therefore I expect equal intolerance towards the existing situation
from your side too and specific actions to prevent bloodshed in
the region.
Edgar Khachatryan is the director of Peace Dialogue, a member of the
Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation. Further information
about this project is available by clicking here.
http://www.transconflict.com/2014/01/nagorno-karabakh-time-end-ceasefire-violations/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress