Regnum, Russia
March 10 2006

Armenian ex-Speaker: time works for Azerbaijan

Meeting with journalists at the National Press Club, ex-Speaker of
the Armenian parliament, Director of Armat Democracy and Civil
Society Development Center Babken Ararktsyan stated that process of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement reached a new stage, fraught
with irreversible consequences. Now, time works for Azerbaijan – this
country purposefully acts in different international structures,
introduces new terminology, which little by little goes into
vocabulary of the international community.

He is quoted by a REGNUM correspondent as saying, that last statement
of Armenian side means, that process of conflict settlement reached a
deadlock. `The winning party does not have a right to do such
statements, to use military rhetoric. What does Armenia need war for?
If we want to conquer Baku – it is another matter,’ stressed
Ararktsyan. `We had superiority, achieved by military efforts, it
should have been transformed into political formulations, and
however, it has not been done.’

Mentioning optimistic mood of co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group on
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Babken Ararktsyan stated:” What
have they to do – to say, that the process reached a deadlock and go
home? They travel around the world, live in good hotels. But the main
matter is here not negotiating format, but willingness of conflicting
parties itself to come to agreement.” At the same time, the
ex-Speaker mentioned, that status quo is favorable for Armenian
authorities – `corrupted country never can demonstrate political will
to solve conflict.’ Additionally, he pointed out necessity for
Nagorno Karabakh to participate in negotiating process – `Nagorno
Karabakh authorities are now more legitimate, then Armenian leaders.
Even Georgia negotiates with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.’