INTERVIEW WITH THE OBSERVER

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
22 June 05

The head of the Chair of Armenian Language and Literature of Tehran
University Andranik Simonian was invited to Nagorno Karabakh to
monitor the election. After the polls we had a talk with him. N.O.: Mr
Simonian, first of all, I would like to know your point of view about
the parliamentary election, an important political event for Nagorno
Karabakh. Andranik Simonian: This is Artsakh, therefore, everything
should be perfect here. I am in Karabakh as an observer, and being an
observer means assuming moral responsibility for this extremely
important political event. That is to say, when observing
irregularities he or she must point them out. But I did not come
across such cases. Why? It is not through mistakes that the people of
Artsakh have gained independence now. I am happy to have participated
in such an important event for the people of Artsakh, and I hope that
the candidates to parliament, independent of which party they belong
to, will place the interests of Artsakh above all. I wish the heroic
people peaceful life. N.O.: Will, in your opinion, the attitude of the
international community towards Karabakh change after the election?
Can this election act as an incentive for the international community
to recognize Karabakh? A.S.: The tendency of the 21st century is that
the world live a peaceful life; it is also felt that the small peoples
with no rights are able to stand up for their rights. The people of
Artsakh are already self-determined, and have achieved what they
aspired to. That is to say, there is no need to serve anything to
Artsakh on the tray. The problem is that these small highlands want
the world to recognize its achievement. And this will take time. It
does not matter that the recognition is late; this will not change
anything for the Artsakh people. Today there are observers from many
countries here. Here are my colleagues who work for scientific
research institutes. Most probably they will present their reports on
the results of the elections in the form of scientific works. As a
result we will achieve the ratification of the act of recognition of
Karabakh. N.O.: Is this your first visit to Karabakh? A.S.: No, I have
been here for several times. For the first time I traveled to Artsakh
with my wife, child and friends to participate in the ceremony of
opening of the monument to Monteh Melkonian. Monteh was my close
friend; in Yerevan we lived in the same house. He used to persuade me
to come to Karabakh but I was very busy and could not come. After his
death I travel to Artsakh often. This is a special occasion, a special
day and atmosphere. Stepanakert is flourishing and prospering, life is
in full swing. That there are controversies in the election programmes
means that the Artsakh people are politically mature. Why not, let the
candidates have different programmes, oppose to one another,
dispute. Let the person win who tells the truth, has a clear programme
and has a clear vision of prospects for its realization. Let the
people win.

NVARD OHANJANIAN.
22-06-2005