ARMENIAN-AZERI CONFLICT CAN BE SETTLED ONLY WITH NAGORNY
KARABAKH’S PARTICIPATION

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
can be settled by peaceful talks only with the participation of
Nagorny Karabakh, says former Russian co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group
Vladimir Kazimirov.

If anybody knew how this can be done he would have to be asked,
says azimirov noting that he has repeatedly proposed his alternative
solution to the conflict. He says that the conflicting parties should
first of all proclaim that Nagorny Karabakh is the gist (subject
and object) of the problem and that they are ready for historical
reconciliation.

Then they should start trilateral talks on all aspects of the
problem. There should be neither winners or losers in this century
long conflict. The parties need a draw to free their decedents from
revenge complex. What has already happened in Azerbaijan and Armenia
in Nakhichevan and Karabakh cannot be replayed without blood. But quick
settlement should include withdrawal of troops from the territories
outside Karabakh. The smell of oil is irremovable but it should not
be allowed to determine the fate of the whole region.

It is for the parties to decide if Nagorny Karabakh should be part
of Azerbaijan or Armenia or be independent. If they fail this should
be determined by the people in a democratic way. The non recognition
of the referendum held in Nagorny Karabakh in 1991 according to the
Soviet law because of non participation of the Azeri community is
is a weak argument considering the fact that it was Baku who ordered
this non participation.

It is a difficult question if a new referendum can be held without
the participation of several tens of thousands of Azeri voters.
Nakhichevan regularly holds elections despite the lack of big percent
of former Armenian voters, notes Kazimirov.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress