STATEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC FACTION OF NKR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
16 Dec 2006

On December 11 the Armenian office of the Council of Europe released
the statement of the CoE Secretary General Terry Davis on the
referendum held in NKR, which runs: `A lasting solution for
Nagorno-Karabakh can only come out of the political process
facilitated by the Minsk Group. Any future solution must respect human
rights, and if it is submitted to popular consultation, the vote must
be free and fair and open to everyone. The main responsibility for the
settlement is with the political leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan
and especially President Kocharian and President Aliyev. This is one
of the accession commitments of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to the
Council of Europe.’ We are not likely to argue with the Council of
Europe Secretary General, nevertheless, we have to note that the
referendum on Constitution is not an initiative for the settlement of
the conflict and does not determine the outcome of the talks over the
settlement of Karabakh, but concluded 15 years of experience of our
independent state and marked new, more liberal and democratic goals,
which, we believe, are fully compliant with the goals of the
international community. With his statement the secretary general
admits that every step based on human rights is fair, but amazingly he
sees such a possibility for Nagorno Karabakh in the future only,
whereas the 150 thousand citizens of the republic, which has existed
for 15 years, has overcome the war imposed on it and taken the track
for democracy, cannot postpone the problems of shaping a more liberal
public administration and levers of civil control until indefinite
future, because life demands keeping up with the modern world.
Meanwhile, Mr. Davis unfortunately wishes to direct the people of NKR
towards totalitarianism and arbitrariness, which is not only
inappropriate for the system of values of the Council of Europe but
may also shatter stability in the region. We are hopeful that this
unrewarding mission was not an appointment commitment of Mr. Davis to
the high-ranking post of Council of Secretary General. As to the
statement of the CoE Secretary General that the main responsibility
for the settlement is with the political leadership of Armenia and
Azerbaijan, we have to note that earlier he personally appealed to
Azerbaijan to set up relations with the Karabakh party, which was
neglected by official Baku. We are reluctant to insist that official
number one of such an authoritative organization as the CoE edits his
own approaches in accordance with expediency, but unfortunately, the
neglect of the NKR people and its elected representatives by Mr. Davis
arouses no other attitude but pity.

Stepanakert, NKR December 13, 2006 NKR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESS SERVICE
16-12-2006

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress