VARDAN OSKANIAN: WHETHER SOLUTION IS LONG-TERM WILL DEPEND ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEOPLE’S STATUS AND SECURITY

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 5 2006

"No one is so eager to achieve the long-lasting resolution of the
Karabakh issue as we are. The Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents’
last meeting has inspired us with hope that we may reach agreement
even on the disputable principles. If the solution will be long-term
will depend on the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s status and security",
stated RA FM Vardan Oskanian December 4, speaking at the sitting of
the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers held in Brussels.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the RA MFA Press Service,
RA FM reminded the conflict had begun when the Nagorno-Karabakh
people’s security had been endangered. According to Vardan Oskanian,
the issues being discussed at the talks are the attempt to satisfy
the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination, at the
same time eliminating the conflict’s consequences.

Armenian Foreign Minister said a referendum on the Draft Constitution
would be held in the Nagorno-Karabakh in a few days. "For the last
15 years the political institutions have been established in the
Nagorno-Karabakh, power has been formed via elections, the legal
filed is developing. They realize the necessity of the Principal
Law and recognize that the general voting is the only way of its
adoption", noted Armenian Foreign Minister. In his words, Azerbaijan’s
allegations that the referendum’s conduct will hamper the talks are
far from reality. "The real obstacle is their intolerable reaction
to the democratic processes in Karabakh, their refusal to involve
the Nagorno-Karabakh in the talks, repeated militarist appeals and
efforts to avoid the negotiation process under the aegis of the OSCE
Minsk group", Armenia’s FM underscored.