FOR DASHNAKTSUTIUN STABILITY IS DEARER THAN LAND

Lragir.am
11 July 06

With regard to the settlement of the Karabakh issue Armenian diplomacy
has proceeded from the presumption of intolerance of Azerbaijan since
1998, said Hmayak Hovanisyan July 11 at the Hayeli Club, who discussed
the present state in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict with
ARF member Kiro Manoyan. Hmayak Hovanisyan believes that this tactics
has led to an unfavorable situation for Armenia and Karabakh.

Kiro Manoyan says forecasts on possibility of settlement in 2006 were
optimistic but groundless. The ARF representative, however, disagrees
with this evaluation about a deadlock. Kiro Manoyan thinks that the
dominance of the principle of self-determination in the settlement
after 1998 is thanks to the Armenian diplomacy. The ARF member
believes that the mediators recognize the fact of self-determination
of Karabakh, and eventually Karabakh will unite with Armenia.

According to Manoyan, this is the reason why Armenia represents
Karabakh to the talks.

However, the ARF member does not always agree with the Armenian
diplomacy. Kiro Manoyan considers clarity on status and Armenia’s
willingness to return territories insufficient. But when the moment
of returning territories comes, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
will prefer stability to territories "to keep what we have".

Kiro Manoyan says if the Armenian president signs an agreement on
territories, they will oppose proceeding from the law. They will
not demand resignation of the head of state under the law, however,
in case Robert Kocharyan tries to return the territories. "We will
demand putting the question to a referendum," says Kiro Manoyan,
implying the problem of territories. He says Dashnaktsutiun has never
violated and will not violate an important principle – stability –
under any government.

The ARF member says, however, that the Karabakh issue is equally
important for them. It is so important that the ARF is ready to secede
from the coalition if it is required.

Considering this, Hmayak Hovanisyan suggests renaming Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Armenian Stability Federation.