Separatism and terrorism are different things

By Karine Mangasarian

Yerkir/arm
December 10, 2004

National Assembly Vice-Speaker Vahan Hovhannisian, while speaking
about his participation in the 8th session of the Armenian-Russian
parliamentary commission in Moscow and CIS parliamentary session on
December 2-4 in St. Petersburg, said that during the latter, the
Azerbaijani delegation again tried to throw Armenia in a tight corner.

At the defense commission of the CIS parliamentary council, the
Azerbaijanis again attempted to include separatism as a certain
terrorist phenomenon in the model law `Fight against terrorism’ and
tried to discuss the same in the political commission.

Hovhannisian said: `It was explained to our colleagues that separatism
is a goal, while terrorism is a method. And the two cannot be
equalized.’ Hovhannisian added that separatism is a natural aspiration
and right of nations.

The different case is when separatism uses terrorism as a
method. However there is a number of separatist and self-determinative
examples in the world, which act legally and bear no threat to those
countries. The Armenian delegation presented the arguments and ceased
the Azerbaijani initiative.

The Armenian delegation plans to include the issue of 90th anniversary
of the Genocide in the agenda of the next session. Hovhannisian says:
`Of course, we will have many opponents on this, and there is no
guarantee for success, but we prioritize bringing the issue forward.’

As to the Armenian-Russian parliamentary commission, it has evolved
into a new methodology within the last 7-8 years and has recorded
signing several agreements. The parties have also agreed to apply to
the executive officials requesting to faster the implementation of the
agreements.

Among other issues discussed was the reopening of the railway
connection between Russia and Armenia via Abkhazia, which is very
problematic and transport communication via Georgian Poti.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress