Azat Artsakh, NKR
Sept 15 2006

A. GHUKASSIAN: WE KEEP THE WINDOW OPEN

In his recent visit to the region of Hadrut Arkady Ghukassian
answered the questions of journalists. The president made some
interesting statements with regard to the question of sending an OSCE
monitoring group to study the fires. Does the head of NKR share
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian’s opinion that if
Azerbaijan is willing to cooperate over extinguishing fires at the
front line, it should turn to the NKR government? Was there any
invitation from the monitoring group, and does the president of NKR
consider the possibility of cooperation with Azerbaijan realistic?
Arkady Ghukassian: `First, I would like to note that it was our
proposal when Azerbaijan started all that fuss about fires. It is
clear that it was caused artificially because they are the author of
both fires and propaganda. The problem is that we have invited
international organizations for a number of times to conduct a
monitoring, because we also want the international community to have
a clear picture of the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, namely at the
border. And since the OSCE mission is likely to arrive, naturally
they must cooperate with the Nagorno-Karabakh government. There has
been no official information yet, but as soon as it is there, we are
ready to accept them. I believe that this mission will make an
unbiased conclusion on the situation in Karabakh. And the purpose of
Azerbaijan is the same.’ Mr. President, what do Bryza’s controversial
statements prompt, is the window of settlement shut this year?
Besides, you said in a recent radio interview that the international
recognition is the settlement. Is it so? Arkady Ghukassian: `The
international recognition was always a variant, this idea is not new
because we believe that the future of Karabakh is the de jure
international recognition of its status. As to the window, we have
never closed the window, on the contrary, we always keep the window
open, and I am hopeful that the window is not closed, and we are
ready to start a constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan.’ What is you
opinion on reporting the problem to the UN? Arkady Ghukassian: `I
think this is a destructive approach because it is clear that the
OSCE Minsk Group has attended to this problem over these years and
the attempts to involve other international organizations will result
in a disorder, which is not favorable for the conflict parties.
Unfortunately, Nagorno Karabakh is not represented to these
international organizations, and Armenia expressed its opinion
clearly that it is against that any international organization starts
attending to the issues, which are dealt with by the OSCE. I think
the right instrument is the diplomatic instrument, and I think the
Armenian diplomacy should be more active. Unfortunately, a situation
has occurred today when the diplomatic corps of Azerbaijan constantly
attacks, and we have to be on the defensive. I think it is high time
that we attack.’

AA.
15-09-2006