Armenian premier plays down UN debates on Karabakh

Ayastani Anrapetutyun, Yerevan
25 Nov 04

Excerpt from Gayane Gasparyan’s report by Armenian newspaper Ayastani
Anrapetutyun on 25 November headlined “We should act jointly in the
Karabakh issue”

After the parliament’s Wednesday 24 November session, Armenia’s Prime
Minister Andranik Markaryan answered several questions by journalists.

Ayastani Anrapetutyun correspondent What do you think about the recent
developments in the Karabakh issue, particularly, the UN discussions?

Andranik Markaryan Naturally, now the situation is not like it was a
day or a month ago but this is not the first time the UN is adopting
decisions on Nagornyy Karabakh. We should try to neutralize their
negative effects through our Foreign Ministry.

Correspondent Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Tigran
Torosyan said on Tuesday that Armenia has been left alone: there is
no friendly country that might vote in Armenia’s favour. Does this
mean that Armenia has found itself in political isolation as far as
the Karabakh issue is concerned?

Markaryan I would not say so. It is not only the Council of Europe
that is considering the Karabakh issue as published . It has been
considered and will be considered by other structures too. If today
for some momentary reasons some countries are making decisions that we
do not accept or that run counter to what they have said before, this
will bring about some problems but it is not a tragedy. We should take
purposeful steps in this directions during the next discussions. The
government, the parliament and public organizations should act jointly
in the matter.

Correspondent Who is mainly to blame for the failed attempts to
prevent undesirable statements?

Markaryan Armenia’s representatives, both the Foreign Ministry and
the Armenian delegation have tried to work but the opponent is also
working. There is an international institution, certain changes,
ebbs and flows. In the meantime, some countries may change their
approaches, but this has not been and will not stay constant.

Correspondent Tigran Torosyan says we need a specific programme on
the issue. Does the government have such plans?

Markaryan Do you really think that to date the government has had no
specific program on the Karabakh issue and has been acting impromptu?

Passage omitted: comments on other minor issues