AZG Armenian Daily #044, 11/03/2006

Open letter

`ARMENIAN SOLDIERS ARE NOT AFRAID OF THREAT’

Letter of Artsakhi Freedom Fighters to Armenia

First commander of Nagorno Karabakh Army, Arkady
Karapetian, chairman of “Tigran Mets” Military
Council, Khachatur Galstian, former commander of
Shushi regiment, Zhirayr Sefilian, commander of
“Kornidzor” squad, Ara Khudaverdian, commander of
“Nartsis” squad, Paylak Kirakosian, field commander
Voskan Gyulumian, commander of “Artsakh” squad Mikael
Apresian, field commander Paykar Khalumian, commander
of “Unified Armenia” squad Aramayis Mkrtchian and
founder of Hoktemberian offshoot of “Army of
Independence”, Levon Sahakian, applied to Armenian
society with an open letter responding to the
statement of Artsakhi intellectuals, clergymen and
public figures on February 23 who complained of the
fact that Armenia negotiates with Azerbaijan and its
defeatism in the talks.

“It was official Yerevan’s strategic mistake to step
in the talks with Baku ousting Stepanakert thus
opening way to diplomatic defeats. But today it would
be not less unacceptable if Stepanakert continuous
negotiations on its own. Armenian-Azeri dialogue will
be possible only when Baku stops anti-Armenian
hysteria, recognizes that Artsakh belongs to Armenians
as well as takes responsibility for forced deportation
of Azerbaijani-Armenians and for provoking war. Only
after that it will be meaningful for Stepanakert to
receive Baku’s suggestion to negotiate,” the letter
reads.