ARMEN RUSTAMYAN: “THERE MAY BE NO TALKS WITHOUT NAGORNO KARABAKH’S
DIRECT PARTICIPATION”

DEFACTO NEWS SERVICE – 09/23/05: “The talks are not conducted at
present, as there may be no talks without an immediate participant of
the conflict – Nagorno Karabakh”, stated Chairman of the Parliamentary
Commission for Foreign Issues Armen Rustamyan in the course of the
press conference on September 22.

According to Armen Rustamyan, if Azerbaijan broaches the Karabakh
issue at the UN without participation of the NK representatives
Armenia will not participate in the discussions. He stressed Armenia
was the guarantor of Nagorno Karabakh independence and security. In
his opinion, the talks should be conducted on the settlement of
Nagorno Karabakh, and not “Armenian – Azeri” conflict with
participation of the three conflict sides.

A member of ARFD faction touched upon the issue referring to adoption
of the two resolutions on the Armenian Genocide by the US Congress
House of Representatives Committee on International Relations. In the
parliamentarian’s opinion it will play an important role in the
international recognition of the Genocide.

Armen Rustamyan noted the Turkish society was not ready to recognize
the Genocide. The reason is the Turkish authorities’ inactivity. In
his words, the agreement with Turkey on recognition of the Genocide
should be package, while the realization phased. A member of ARFD
faction thinks there are two options of the problem solution:
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey and opening of the
border; establishment of relations with Armenia and international
recognition of the Genocide.

In Armen Rustamyan’s words, the issue referring to recognition of the
Armenian Genocide has not only moral and historic, but also the
political aspect. “Recognition of the Armenian Genocide should become
the matter of all the countries, and the issue is not subject to
bargaining”, emphasized he. Armenian parliamentarian added there
should be no closed borders between Armenia and Turkey. “Unless Turkey
recognizes the fact of the Genocide there are no guarantees that the
history will not be repeated”, said Armen Rustamyan.