Stubbornness Leads To Strife

Chatham Daily News (Ontario)
July 21, 2006 Friday

Editor’s Note: This letter is addressed to Osprey Writer’s Group
member Scott Taylor, responding to his July 17 column in The Chatham
Daily News, "Focus on present issues."

SIR: This is to provide you with additional information concerning
the Nagorno-Karapagh conflict that might have prevented you from
comparing the injustice towards the Azerbaijanis with the Armenian
Genocide in your article on July 17.

After the Armenians were removed from their homeland by the Ottoman
Empire (Eastern Turkey, which was the Armenians’ homeland for over
2,000 years is now empty of Armenians), the Armenians managed to form
a republic in the Russian portion of historical Armenia (Armenia
was divided between the Persian, Ottoman, and Russian Empires). It
is noteworthy that the greatest gift that Armenia has given to the
world is itself, as it has sacrificed itself so many times over its
long history, continually being subjected to attacks and occupations
from different empires.

The newly formed republic was forced to join the U.S.S.R. to protect
itself from attacks from the Turks, which was now run by Mustapha
Kemal Ataturk (known in the west as a modernizer). Under Stalin,
two areas – Nakhichevan and Nagorno-Karapagh – were removed from the
Armenian S.S.R. and transferred to the Azerbaijani S.S.R. Nakhichevan
was removed of its Armenian population, whereas Nagorno- Karapagh
continued to have an Armenian majority (both regions had had a long
Armenian presence).

Before the U.S.S.R. collapsed, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karapagh
Autonomous Region requested a unification with the Armenian
S.S.R., but that was rejected. However, when the U.S.S.R. collapsed,
Nagorno-Karapagh declared independence after a referendum (it was legal
for an autonomous region in the U.S.S.R. to declare independence).

The Azerbaijani government reacted to this by attacking the unprotected
people of the newly formed Nagorno-Karapagh Republic. Seeing that the
people of Nagorno-Karapagh needed assistance, the Republic of Armenia
(and Armenians from elsewhere, fearing a repetition of the 1915 events)
sent its forces to protect the neighbouring country’s land, and it did,
as you mentioned, also occupy land outside the NKR as a buffer zone.

Please note that even with its legitimacy, the NKR has not been
recognized by any country, including Armenia, so as not to cause
problems in the on-going conflict/negotiation process.

The United Nations did adopt resolutions regarding the conflict, and it
is of course regrettable whenever force must be used. However, just as
in the Second World War, sometimes evil is necessary for the protection
of the right of self-determination and to ensure future peace.

The best solution is that the NKR be recognized, all of the Azeri
refugees be returned to their homes, and all of the appropriate
conditions be provided for continual peace in the region. The NKR
has proven that it can govern itself, being more democratic than both
the Armenian and Azerbaijani republics.

It is of course clear to you now that the problem started and continues
to exist because of the stubbornness of the Azerbaijani government in
not wanting to recognize the NKR. The Armenian republic is prepared
to withdraw forces from Azerbaijan only when the latter recognizes
the NKR. Otherwise it is pointless, because the occupation was meant
to protect the weaker NKR, and it is still necessary as evidence by
Azerbaijan’s attacks after the ceasefire.

There is no doubt that there is injustice here, but its source and
solution depend on the Azerbaijani side committing to peace and
accepting that the NKR has a right to exist, so that the refugees
can at last return to their lands.

I am a descendent of victims of the Armenian genocide studying at
the University of Toronto. I appreciate your patience in reading my
opinion about the situation, and thank you for your interest in the
situation in Nagorno-Karapagh.

Zafin Menkechian Toronto

This letter also appears in
Sarnia Observer (Ontario) July 21, 2006 Friday Answer lies in
recognizing disputed region

Timmins Daily Press (Ontario) July 21, 2006 Friday Best solution is
for NKR to be recognized