Self determination right to be enclosed

By Gayane Movsesian

Yerkir/arm
24 Dec 04

The last week was significant for several remarks made by OSCE Mink
Group Russian co-chairman Yuri Merzliakov and Armenian foreign
minister Vardan Oskanian.

Both of them positively commented on the year 2004 in the context of
the Karabagh issue, mentioning the obstacles created by Azerbaijan by
having the issue of Karabagh be included in the UN agenda, as well as
the agreement to continue the so called Paris process on the level of
foreign ministers.

Both Merzliakov, and Oskanian expressed careful optimist about the
chance for progress in the Paris consultations (which are expected to
resume in January). Merzliakov said: `I almost do not doubt that
certain positive results may be achieved.’

Meanwhile, Oskanian said that the document (which should be signed by
the results of the talks) has considerable potential for fixing the
right of the people of Karabagh for self-determination. Such an
option, as of Oskanian, is discussed at the Paris talks.

`However, it is hard to say whether it will be succeeded,’ carefully
put Oskanian, adding that even in case of success, the realization of
the rightof the Karabagh people will not be immediate. He also said:
`There canbe a flexible approach to the time schedule. This issue can
be solved during talks. But we are going to fight for the right of
self-determination till the end and without that point, we will not
sign any document.’

The Azerbaijani foreign minister has so far not presented his view on
the talks, but we can expect just the opposite of what Oskanian
said. Not too long ago Elmar Mamediarov already said that Azerbaijan
will make no step back onthe issue of the territorial integrity.

It looks like the talks will really be difficult. Especially on the
backstage of the shaped political situation after the developments in
Georgia and Ukraine.

Merzliakov said: `If talks go normally, the Karabagh issue should not
cause political tensions in Armenia or Azerbaijan.’

We believe that no matter how the talks go, opposition both in
Armenia, and in Azerbaijan will find ways to criticize the authorities
for compromising on Karabagh. Unfortunately, it is already happening
in Armenia, despite the fact that the opposition has declared that
there can be no speculations on such an important national issue as
Karabagh.

It is also not excluded that foreign forces may try to manipulate the
Karabagh issue for influencing interior developments in Armenia and
Azerbaijan. The examples are obvious.

The Armenian opposition is accusing Kocharian of not being able to
solve the conflict and of remaining dependant on Moscow and Aliev is
accused by the Azerbaijani opposition of not being able to resolve the
issue and remaining dependant on Washington. In both countries, the
opposition is looking to the overthrow of power by the Georgian and
Ukrainian examples.

Some pro-western alliances are being formed in Armenia, pro-Russian
forces are being searched in Azerbaijan. The media in both countries
speak about strong opposition leaders who would be serious alternative
to the actual authorities. The newspapers of Baku openly speak about
search for new pro-Western alternatives. The same is written in the
Armenian media outlet, in concern with the US Ambassador’s meetings
with local political forces.

Thus, the year of 2005 promises to be active and exciting.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress