NEVER EXCLUDE WAR

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
06 April 05

The second day of the parliamentary hearing at the RA National Assembly
on the topic “The Issue of Nagorno Karabakh: Ways of Resolution” began
with the report by the secretary of national security, minister of
defence of RA Serge Sarghissian. Presenting the prospect of resolution
of the Karabakh conflict, the minister of defence declared that the
model “a unified nation and two states” is strategically favourable
for us. According to him, it will prevent accusations of annexation
of Karabakh set forward by Azerbaijan against Armenia.

FOREIGN POLICY

The minister of defence of Armenia characterized the foreign policy
for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict as both successful
and problematic. However, he said there is no need to worry. “Not
overlooking the advantages, it would be much more useful to pay greater
attention to these problems, for their correct interpretation would
help us press ahead with the settlement of the Karabakh conflict not
forgetting about the security of Armenia, Karabakh and the entire
Armenian nation,” said Serge Sarghissian.

APPROACHES

In reference to approaches to and principles of the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict the minister noticed that in the talks lasting
for 13 years within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group four main
approaches to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict have been
formed: unification of Nagorno Karabakh and the Republic of Armenia;
recognition of the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
legitimately; creation of a united state on the basis of Azerbaijan
and the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh; high level sovereignty of Nagorno
Karabakh within the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to the minister,
the concept of self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh
underlies the approach of the Armenian side, whereas the Azerbaijani
approach is based on the principle of recognition of the territorial
integrity and indivisibility of the borders of Azerbaijan. In the
Minsk talks the attitude of the Armenian side towards the models
of solution of the issue starts from the principle of providing the
physical security of the Armenians of Karabakh, as well as necessary
conditions for their steady democratic development. According to the
minister, the present development of the talks for Karabakh prompts
that it is preferable to take into consideration the orientation of
Nagorno Karabakh to progressive global processes. In his opinion,
the three basic principles can be put in the following way:
a. the impossibility of Karabakh being subject to Azerbaijan;
b. the impossibility of Nagorno Karabakh existing as an enclave,
necessity for land border with Armenia and international guarantees for
Nagorno Karabakh to participate in the progressive global processes;
c. need for international guarantees that the war will not be resumed.
“It is necessary to come to an agreement on adapting these 3 principles
to the national interests of the Armenian nation and ground them,”
stated the minister assuring that only in the case of reaching a
national agreement on these basic principles will it be possible
to expect united and effective team work of our representatives
on foreign political issues on the resolution of the Karabakh
conflict.

RETURN TERRITORIES

In this connection Serge Sarghissian said that negotiations can
be conducted for the security area. The minister believes that
the territories forming the security area will not be returned
without taking into consideration the security of the population
of Nagorno Karabakh. According to him, certain compromises can be
reached through negotiations if Azerbaijan gives guarantees for not
resuming war confirmed by authoritative international organizations
and countries. “I think the Armenian side is willing to discuss
the possibilities of compromise within this pragmatic framework,”
mentioned the minister.

COMPROMISE

Then the minister tried to render the circumstances in which the
Armenian side may make a compromise. First of all, Serge Sarghissian
pointed out once again that the settlement of the Karabakh conflict is
possible only through peace talks, on the basis of compromises, at the
same time pointing out the compromises that the Armenian side may agree
to make. “We regard the fact that Armenia has not officially recognized
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh as a principal compromise, although
NKR was established legitimately and has existed as an independent
democratic state for many years now.” Another compromise pointed
out by the minister was the formulation in the January 25 Resolution
1416 of the Council of Europe that the question of independence of
territories (i.e. Nagorno Karabakh) of the state (i.e. Azerbaijan)
must be solved through the democratic expression of the will of the
people living in the given territory. In this context the minister
singled out the proposal of the chairman of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly Pierre Leluche, according to which it is preferable to hold
a second referendum among the population of the former Autonomous
Region of Nagorno Karabakh on the democratic self-determination of
Nagorno Karabakh. “We think the second principal compromise can be
based on this proposal. Despite the legitimacy of establishment of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and the fact of its lasting existence
as an independent economic and democratic state the Armenian side
may agree to hold a second referendum among the population of the
former Autonomous Region of Nagorno Karabakh at their present place
of residence.”

PROBABILITY OF RESUMPTION OF WAR

The RA minister of defence touched upon the probability of resumption
of war. Serge Sarghissian does not exclude the probability of
resumption of war. “I did not exclude it in 1995, and in 1998,
and in 2000 and today I do not exclude it either. There is always
such probability, and nobody is secured against it,” said the
minister. Moreover, he believes that if military actions are resumed,
we will win by all means. “And the cost of the victory will depend
on how the Armenian people, the political forces of Armenia protect
the rear of the army. If, God forbid, military actions start and
a situation similar to that in Azerbaijan in 1992-1994 occurs in
Armenia, we will face destruction. Statesmen and countries start war,
armies continue it, but it is people that win,” said the minister.

TO CONCLUDE

At the end of the report the RA minister of defence Serge Sarghissian
emphasized that for the sake of effectiveness of our unified actions
in Karabakh resolution all the participants of this political process
must come together around the above mentioned basic principles and
approaches.

CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN. 06-04-2005