AZG Armenian Daily #063, 09/04/2005

Karabakh issue

ZHIRAYR SEFILIAN: TODAY’S REGIME CONTINUES DEFEATIST POLICY OF THE PREVIOUS
ONE

Defense of Liberated Territories public initiative (DLT) warns once
again that the Karabakh policy of today’s regime in Armenia is the
continuation of former ones and is as defeatist. DLT coordinator
Zhirayr Sefilian criticized Karabakh policy of the authorities at
Azdak club on April 7.

Sefilian reminded defense minister Serge Sargsian’s speech at the
March 29-30 parliament hearings over Nagorno Karabakh issue to have
said that “till in 90s when he was convincing the soldiers to take
over the vantage points outside Karabakh he used to tell them that
we take them but will have to return”.

DLT coordinator called Sargsian’s statement an outright lie and said
that no officer would dare not only tell something of the kind to the
soldiers but even think of that as the author of such words would be
soon killed.

Sefilian was a battalion commander in Shushi in 1992. His battalion
that fought in many battles including the battle for Shushi liberation
had 56 killed, 3 missing and 157 wounded.

Sefilian warned the authorities that “this process of territorial
concession is a treason”. He claimed that “those people cannot
represent the Armenian people”. On behalf of all freedom fighters as
well as the perished ones, Sefilian stated that the authorities will
be punished if they do not change their stance in Karabakh issue.

Referring to OSCE Minsk group Russian co-chair (who said that “the
co-chairs have prepared a new package to be put before Armenian and
Azeri presidents in London”, “the society is not ready for compromise”,
“co-chairs always considered that the public opinion in both countries
need to be molded”) Sefilian said that the parliamentary hearings
aimed at settling these issues.

“In presence of many ambassadors, the coalitional parties, opposition
representatives, RA and NKR foreign ministers and especially RA
defense minister tried hard to display the “unity” and “resolution”
of Armenia’s politics to accept co-chairs’ suggestions”, a press
release by DLT read.

Organizers of the hearings, according to DLT, displayed the Armenian
society their resolution to defend territories of former Nagorno
Karabakh Autonomous Republic and the Lachin corridor and from the other
side, their belief and readiness to hand the liberated territories
to Azerbaijan.

“The expression ‘liberated territories’ was a taboo for everyone. They
used, instead, words revealing their Azeri-mindedness. We have the
impression that the purpose of the hearings was to deprive expression
“liberated territories” of its meaning”, the release says.

Zhirayr Sefilian and his adherents are sure that “the Armenian nation
will never put up with the idea of relinquishing any part of its
homeland and with contracts that opposing to its national interests”.

By Tatoul Hakobian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress