NKR Foreign Minister’s Visit To USA

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
08 Nov 04

On October 18-28 NKR foreign minister Ashot Ghulian visited the
USA. During the press conference at the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
on November 2 he gave a detailed account of his visit. MEETINGS
IN THE US The minister left for the USA at the invitation of the
University of Michigan to take part in the conference on the topic
“Armenia/the South Caucasus: Foreign Policy Challenges”. Ashot Ghulian
presented a report on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict and
state building in NKR. The foreign minister said the Azerbaijani
side tried to obstruct the visit of the representatives of Armenia
and Karabakh to the USA, however, the representatives for organizing
the conference disapproved of these attempts. Touching upon political
conferences, Ashot Ghulian pointed out his meetings with Stephen Mann
and the director of Catering International Foundation who organize
political seminars together with the RF Center for Strategic and
International Studies at the Russian town Snegiri in which the
Armenian, Azerbaijani and Karabakh parties take part. The foreign
minister mentioned that although the seminars aim to establish direct
cooperation, it is especially difficult for the Azerbaijani party
to depart from the official position of their governments. Pursuing
with the political topic, the foreign minister emphasized that
that certain circles in the USA have paid special attention to the
building of state in NKR. It was particularly mentioned that the
experience of state building in an extraordinary situation. According
to the minister, a number of experts pointed out the high level
of development of democracy and society in NKR which proves loyal
to the European values and pursues the way of democratic reforms
without any pressure. NEW BAKU AUTHORITIES PREVENT ANY RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE SOCIETIES OF AZERBAIJAN AND KARABAKH. Commenting on the
statements of the Azerbaijani foreign minister saying that it is
Armenia’s turn to make efforts in the negotiation process, Ashot
Ghulian said, Baku keeps to its strategy and presents everything
in the light of its interests. The minister mentioned that during
the political consultation he felt that compromises are expected
not only from Armenia. In this reference the minister emphasized
that in the last two years the new Azerbaijani government encouraged
the propagandist war and did their best to prevent any relationships
between the societies of the conflict parties. The minister explained
the undertaking of the Azerbaijani government to include the question
of the situation in the territories occupied by Nagorni Karabakh
in the agenda of the UN General Assembly in the context of Baku’s
policy. Ashot Ghulian did not say anything about the results of
the discussion. However, he mentioned that owing to the permanent
representation of Armenia in the UN many countries abstained from
voting. “We are willing to discuss all the complicated issues,
including the problem of territories, but the policy of Azerbaijan
proves that it is not interested in the settlement of the conflict,”
said Ashot Ghulian. As to the liberated territories, according to
the minister, Azerbaijan knows very well that Armenia has nothing to
do with them. Commenting on the statements of the Azerbaijani side
that Baku will negotiate with Stepanakert if Armenia withdraws its
troops from Karabakh and renounce the 1989 decision on unification,
Ashot Ghulian said when this or that decision is concerned, Azerbaijan
issues ultimatums which are absolutely unacceptable for the parties
of the talks. THE IDEA OF REFERENDUM AND INDEPENDENCE IS MORE AND
MORE ACCEPTABLE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. In reference to the
ideas underlying his reports in international seminars Ashot Ghulian
stated – independence. “Armenian diplomacy relies upon the results
of the 1991 referendum,” said the foreign minister of NKR. The idea
of referendum and independence is becoming more and more acceptable
and real for the international community, especially after the
experience of East Timor and Eritrea. THERE IS NO ARRANGEMENT ON
MILITARY EXERCISES FOR THE ARMIES OF UNRECOGNIZED COUNTRIES. The
foreign minister of NKR stated that the information that at the
end of the current year joint military exercises of the armies of
unrecognized countries will be held is not true. “The Karabakh Army
has no other function but the defence of borders and security of the
population of Nagorni Karabakh, especially outside the border of the
republic.” THE TELETHON IS ORGANIZED BETTER. During his visit to the
United States the NKR foreign minister met with the representatives if
Armenian organizations which are going to take part in the telethon
on November 25. The minister mentioned that this year the telethon
is better organized. He informed that NKR prime minister Anoushavan
Danielian had a considerable contribution to the work of organizing
the telethon during his visit to the United States. NKR president
Arkady Ghukassian will leave for the USA to take part in the telethon.

NAIRA HAYRUMIAN.

08-11-2004