A PACKAGE OPTION WITH THE PHASED REALIZATION

DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 16 2005

A model of the Karabakh issue settlement enabling to combine the
principle of territorial integrity with the nations’ right to self –
determination was outlined at the second session of the PACE temporary
committee on Karabakh issue that took place in Paris on September 12.

On September 15, in the course of the press conference on the
outcomes of the PACE sitting on Karabakh issue in Yerevan RA NA deputy
from Justice Faction Shavarsh Kocharyan informed of the details and
estimated the Paris discussions. According to Shavarsh Kocharyan, the
settlement scheme assumes liberation of the territories controlled
by the NK armed forces, return of the Azeri refugees and conduct of
the referendum on the status’ determination.

In Shavarsh Kocharyan’s opinion, there are some positive shifts in
the scheme; however, it contains danger as well. He believes the
positive aspect is recognition of the fact that Karabakh’s status
should be determined on the basis of the nations’ right to self –
determination. Besides, they realize that Karabakh cannot be an
enclave. Thus, according to the scheme, Karabakh should have a corridor
connecting it with Armenia. Shavarsh Kocharyan noted Armenian party
had managed to withstand the attacks of Azeri delegation, which tried
to raise the issue of Nahkijevan and draw parallel between Karabakh
and Nahkijevan. Representatives of Armenian party stated Nahkijevan
was not an enclave and had bordures with both Turkey and Iran.

Mentioning the negative aspects of the settlement option Shavarsh
Kocharyan dwelled upon the issue referring to a referendum. He said
according to the logic of the scheme’s realization the referendum
will not be conducted in the near future. In his words, the danger
is that return of the territories weakens Karabakh’s stand: status
quo is violated, so Azerbaijan is likely to settle the conflict by
force of arms.

Shavarsh Kocharyan does not accept opinion that the option is like
the one suggested in 1997. “There is significant difference: in
1997 they suggested that we should return the territories, refugees,
and then start talks on the issue referring to the status. Now there
is a solution of the issue referring to the status”, noted Shavarsh
Kocharyan. “It is the settlement’s package option providing phased
realization”, stated he.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress