SURPRISED BY LENMARKER’S STATEMENT
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
12 July 05
The public and political circles of Nagorno Karabakh Republic were
surprised by and satisfied with the statement of the reporter of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Nagorno Karabakh Goran Lenmarker that
the unification with Armenia is the best guarantee for the security of
Nagorno Karabakh. The people of Karabakh who have never heard a
similar opinion from the mediators and the representatives of
international organizations, and it seems to them that in the
perception of the Karabakh issue by the international, more exactly
the European community, certain changes which are positive for Nagorno
Karabakh are taking place. Thus, according to the chairman of the
standing committee for defence and security of the NKR National
Assembly Rudolf Martirossian, the statement of the Swedish
parliamentarian is a longed-for surprise. He thinks in reference to
the NKR security this statement is a logical way out of the present
situation. `In fact, only the Republic of Armenia can guarantee
thesecurity of the people of Nagorno Karabakh. How and what mechanisms
need to be used is another question. If I am not mistaken, this
approach is introduced into the Bishkek agreement. Besides, NKR has
not yet worked out a doctrine of defence and security of the
country. In case such a doctrine is worked out, this postulate can
take its place in the document,’ told Rudolf Martirossian to the radio
Liberty. The vice chairman of the NKR National Assembly standing
committee for foreign relations Gagik Petrossian thinks that
Lenmarker’s statement is commendable in the sense that Europe does not
see NKR as part of Azerbaijan. According to him, this is a change in
the perception of the Karabakh issue by Europe.` Armenia has been
recognized by the international community. If Nagorno Karabakh is part
of Armenia, it will be easier to present the interests of the Karabakh
people to the international organizations. It is true that we have
made more effort for the recognition of the independence of NKR. And I
think that there is no difference between being independent and part
of Armenia,’ said G. Petrossian. Meanwhile, the idea of independence
of NKR is unacceptable for Lenmarker and the representatives of other
international organizations. In answer to the question if Lenmarker’s
statement about the probability of unification of NKR and Armenia
signals to Stepanakert and Yerevan the necessity to change their
policies, Rudolf Martirossian said, `The idea of unification with
Armenia has always lived in the hearts of the Karabakh people. But I
do not think that after this statement our political line will undergo
a major change. However, I think that this statement will result in
new tendencies of development.=80=9D Gagik Petrossian noticed that
unification is not a subject of manipulations but a goal. `But I also
have to say that in case of unification with Armenia NKR needs to have
a higher status that any of the regions of the Republic of Armenia.I
cannot tell whether it will be autonomy or something else. One thing
is for sure that the status of Nagorno Karabakh must be high until
Armenia finally becomes a developed democratic country,’ said the vice
chairman of the standing committee for foreign relations.
AA.
12-07-2005
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress