OSKANIAN: THE DOCUMENT PRESENTED BY THE MEDIATORS IS THE LESSER OF EVILS
Tatul Hakobyan
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 29 2006
In RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian’s words, the meeting with
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in New York was productive, since to
some extent it clarified the situation. "Next week the Co-Chairs will
arrive in Armenia in the framework of a regional visit. The meeting
of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan depends on the
results of the visit," the Minister said in a press conference today.
A fact-finding mission to assess the situation with fires at the
contact line is also expected to visit the territories bordering
Nagorno Karabakh next week.
Vardan Oskanian dwelt on the resolution the European Parliament adopted
one of these days, "We assess the decision of the European Parliament
connected with Turkey’s membership as positive, irrespective of the
fact that the clause on the Armenian Genocide was abolished at the
last moment. I would name this document ideal if the clause were
not eliminated. The resolution calls on Turkey to lift the blockade
and establish diplomatic relations with Armenia. Turkey is required
to open the border with Armenia without any preconditions, and this
is a prerequisite for Turkey’s entry into the EU. This is a serious
political document although it is a Parliamentary decision."
Vardan Oskanyan noted that in case the resolution on frozen conflicts
on GUAM territory is adopted in the UN, the question of Karabakh
participation will not be considered a matter of time. It will become a
condition, since in case of adoption of a similar resolution Armenia
will certainly try to relief its burden by involving Karabakh in
the talks, "Of course, Armenia will contunue participating in the
negotiations, but Karabakh’s involvement will be necessary."
In response to "Radiolur" question why the Minister did not meet with
Mammadyarov in New York, Vardan Oskanian said, "These meetings should
not be an end in itself. The Ministers meet when exact questions are
suggested. Only a week preceding our meeting the GUAM initiative was
put on UN agenda and the situation changed. Under these new conditions,
without clarifying the situation the meeting would be an end in
itself. I can say that the meeting was not rejected, it was delayed,
since some clarifications are needed. The cancellation of the meeting
with Mammadyarov should not be considered as Armenia’s avoidance from
talks, since the document on the table today is generally acceptable
for Armenia. Although it is not an ideal document but the lesser of
evils, we think that it can open the way for the settlement of the
issue. I clearly stated in my speech in the UN that we have given
our agreement to all the strategic points of the 2.5 page document."
What will Armenia do if Azerbaijan once again tries to resolve
the Karabakh issue in a military way? "Armenia will not sit idly if
Azerbaijan refuses from talks or carries in mind the idea of settling
the issue in a military way as an alternative. The security of Karabakh
people is extremely important for us, and if we get convinced that
Azerbaijan intends to launch military actions, Armenia will not stop
before anything. Armenia will take the correct steps to fully guarantee
the security of Karabakh people," the Foreign Minister declared.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
