KARABAKH NGO’S WORK WITHOUT OUTSIDE SUPPORT
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Lragir.am
30 May 06

A round-table meeting was held in Stepanakert in the framework of the
program South Caucasian Integration. An Alternative Start. The
program is implemented by the Caucasian Center of Peacemaking Efforts
(Yerevan) and includes NGOs from 6 South Caucasian countries.

The meeting in Stepanakert was devoted to the present state and
prospects of the Karabakh NGOs. A report was read by the director of
the Civic Action Center Albert Voskanyan. The report says 107
non-governmental organizations are registered with the NKR Ministry of
Justice, the majority is not operating because of financial problems.
Although the country’s legislation provides for freedom of activities,
the non-governmental sector develops at a low pace because it lacks
opportunities to step into the international sphere and find external
sources of income. Azerbaijan also creates hindrances because it
offers political ultimatums to those international organizations,
which are likely to set up relations with Karabakh. Even refugees in
Karabakh do not get international aid, said Albert Voskanyan.

Nevertheless, a tendency of development is becoming visible. First,
several years ago a U.S.-British consortium was set up, which funds
certain programs. Second, the NKR government gives grants to NGOs
starting with this year. If formerly the government funded
organizations, now the government funds programs. Certain
organizations think this may lead to turning NGOs government
affiliates. However, in the current situation the majority of
organizations do not have other choice.

On these days Dan Smith, the director of International Alert, a member
of the Consortium is visiting Stepanakert. This organization has set
up resource centers in Yerevan, Baku and Stepanakert, which were
supposed to communicate with one another. This cooperation is mostly
hindered by the Azerbaijani party. However, Dan Smith thinks that the
frozen conflicts in the Caucasusare against the interests of ordinary
people. He thinks that everything must be settled through dialogue,
and the international organizations have greater possibilities to
establish dialogue.

It is obvious, however, that there cannot be a unilateral
dialogue. The Azerbaijani side defies cooperation with Karabakh
organizations. There are exceptions, but most often they refuse to
take the hand of Karabakh.