PanARMENIAN.Net
Ghukasian Confirmed NKR Readiness to Hold Direct and
Constructive Dialogue with Baku
02.09.2006 13:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `The declaration on the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
proclamation is a brave political and legal act that was adopted is
accordance with the fundamental norms of the former USSR Constitution
and international law. It became epochal in the centuries-old history
of Artsakh. It reflected the will of our people who had chosen the
path of freedom and independence,’ NKR President Arkady Ghukasian said
in Stepanakert during the festivities dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of the NKR proclamation. He remarked that under the
circumstances independence proved to be the only way to secure
Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh, its development and
prosperity.
`I would like to remind that NKR was proclaimed at the time when no
single Armenian remained at the territory of the Azeri SSR. The
Azerbaijani leadership isolated Nagorno Karabakh from the outer
world. 15 years that have passed proved the historical necessity and
relevance of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s proclamation,’ Ghukasian
said. In his words, the economy of the state was almost completely
destroyed. Dwellings, hospitals, schools were demolished. `Half of
Nagorno Karabakh was occupied by Azerbaijan as result of bloody
battles. Thousands of people were killed but thanks to the incredible
efforts of our people and leadership as well as owing to Armenia and
Diaspora’s support the enemy was forced of retreat and conclude
armistice agreement signed by Stepanakert as well. Thus, the
Azerbaijani leadership actually recognized Nagorno Karabakh as a party
to conflict although now it denied this fact,’ the NKR leader said.
Arkady Ghukasian voiced regret over the fact that the `Azeri
authorities prefer to counteract the logic of political
development. Karabakh problem cannot be resolved by force. War will
bring new losses and sufferings to both peoples. I call on the Azeri
side to abandon delirious intentions to take revenge and settle all
the issues at the bargaining table,’ he said. At that he underscored
that the efforts of the NKR political leadership are targeted at a
peaceful settlement of the conflict. `We consider the irreversible
democratization process as factor promoting peaceful resolution of the
Karabakh conflict. The calls to war in Azerbaijan can be explained by
absence of democracy in the neighbor republic. If the process reached
a deadlock now, it’s not the fault of Karabakh or Armenia but the
result of Azerbaijan’s counterproductive position,’ Ghukasian said.
He remarked that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is possible
only on the basis of mutual compromise that demands courage and
political will of the leaders of the conflicting sides. `I would like
to confirm Karabakh’s readiness to hold a direct and constructive
dialogue with Azerbaijan without preconditions. Such format will
reflect the core of the problem,’ Ghukasian concluded, reported IA
Regnum.