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Crimea referendum of benefit to Nagorno-Karabakh - David Babayan
12:00 * 16.03.14
David Babayan, Spokesman for the President of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR), talked to Tert.am about possible consequences of the
referendum in Crimea scheduled for March 16.
Legally, it is a precedent, which, however, does not mean
Nagorno-Karabakh will immediately be recognized.
"International recognition of states is not limited to legal framework
or precedents because there are numerous precedents in the world."
"Doubtless, this means exercising people's right to
self-determination. As we know, the Crimean population first declared
independence from Ukraine. Now they are going to decide on their
future by means of a referendum. So this future may be as part of
Russia or as part of Ukraine, with a higher degree of autonomy. We
will see the real picture in a few days. The same took place in
Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] in 1991, which was preceded by a decision
on reunification in 1988. And we can see it in Crimea now.
As to whether the referendum results - if in favor of Crimea joining
Russia - might serve as a good precedent for Nagorno-Karabakh, Babayan
said:
"Legally, it is a precedent, which, however, does not mean
Nagorno-Karabakh will immediately be recognized. International
recognition of states is not limited to legal framework or precedents
because there are numerous precedents in the world. Nonetheless, this
is one more instance. And a number of other precedents should be
expected this year - Scotland, Catalonia. And we are going to see how
international law operates. And it will be new evidence of peoples'
right to self-determination."
Nagorno-Karabakh recognized the independence of Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Does it mean Nagorno-Karabakh will recognize results of the Crimea
referendum?
"Before Ossetia and Abkhazia are internationally recognized, are we
cooperating and have recognized each other. Crimea is not holding a
referendum on independence. Rather, it is a referendum on joining
Russia. It is not a problem of recognition. They want to remain part
of Ukraine or join Russia. This is an exercise of peoples' right to
self-determination - a change of status as part of another state.
Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) Vladimir
Zhirinovsky made a statement recently that making Nagorno-Karabakh
part of Russia would be the best solution to the problem.
"Vladimir Zhirinovsky makes statements on different occasions. I am
not going to comment on or criticize them.
"I can only say that the Artsakh people held two referendums on their
future, showing the entire world their aspirations. Our wish is an
independent, democratic and social state, and we are creating such a
state."
Armenian News - Tert.am
12:00 * 16.03.14
David Babayan, Spokesman for the President of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR), talked to Tert.am about possible consequences of the
referendum in Crimea scheduled for March 16.
Legally, it is a precedent, which, however, does not mean
Nagorno-Karabakh will immediately be recognized.
"International recognition of states is not limited to legal framework
or precedents because there are numerous precedents in the world."
"Doubtless, this means exercising people's right to
self-determination. As we know, the Crimean population first declared
independence from Ukraine. Now they are going to decide on their
future by means of a referendum. So this future may be as part of
Russia or as part of Ukraine, with a higher degree of autonomy. We
will see the real picture in a few days. The same took place in
Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] in 1991, which was preceded by a decision
on reunification in 1988. And we can see it in Crimea now.
As to whether the referendum results - if in favor of Crimea joining
Russia - might serve as a good precedent for Nagorno-Karabakh, Babayan
said:
"Legally, it is a precedent, which, however, does not mean
Nagorno-Karabakh will immediately be recognized. International
recognition of states is not limited to legal framework or precedents
because there are numerous precedents in the world. Nonetheless, this
is one more instance. And a number of other precedents should be
expected this year - Scotland, Catalonia. And we are going to see how
international law operates. And it will be new evidence of peoples'
right to self-determination."
Nagorno-Karabakh recognized the independence of Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Does it mean Nagorno-Karabakh will recognize results of the Crimea
referendum?
"Before Ossetia and Abkhazia are internationally recognized, are we
cooperating and have recognized each other. Crimea is not holding a
referendum on independence. Rather, it is a referendum on joining
Russia. It is not a problem of recognition. They want to remain part
of Ukraine or join Russia. This is an exercise of peoples' right to
self-determination - a change of status as part of another state.
Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) Vladimir
Zhirinovsky made a statement recently that making Nagorno-Karabakh
part of Russia would be the best solution to the problem.
"Vladimir Zhirinovsky makes statements on different occasions. I am
not going to comment on or criticize them.
"I can only say that the Artsakh people held two referendums on their
future, showing the entire world their aspirations. Our wish is an
independent, democratic and social state, and we are creating such a
state."
Armenian News - Tert.am