Karabakh Parliament Adopts Report on Conflict History, Resolution
ASBAREZ, 12/29/2006

STEPANAKERT (ArmRadio)–The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament on
Tuesday adopted a report following extensive hearings on the Karabakh
conflict and prospects for peace in the region. Entitled "The Karabakh
Question: Prospects of Settlement," assessed the political, social and
military elements of the conflict and provides recommendations.

The Karabakh Parliament adopted this report as an official government
position and considers this Conclusion an official stance and
instructed the Karabakh foreign ministry to present the report to the
UN Secretary General, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, PACE President, the
governments of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, Chairman of
the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament and
the EU Representative to the South Caucasus." Below is the translated
text of the report:

1. The unsettled conflict between the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and
the Republic of Azerbaijan differs from other conflicts on post-Soviet
space with the complete actuality of the right for self-determination
of the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

In 1918-1920 Nagorno Karabakh had a de facto independent status, and
was forcefully annexed to the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan by the
11th army of the Russian armed forces, and in 1923 it was declared the
Autonomous Region of Nagorno Karabakh, the state status of which was
later determined with the USSR Constitution. As of the point of
dissolution of the Soviet Union, the realization of the
self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh was based on two
essential arguments.

First, according to Article 3 of the "Law on the procedure of settling
issues connected with seceding from the United Soviet Socialistic
State," in case secession of a Soviet Republic, autonomous
organizations and ethnic minorities had the right to determine their
future status via referendum.

On October 30, 1991 Azerbaijan declared its independence. On September
2 of the same year the Autonomous Region of Nagorno Karabakh was
declared a Republic together with Shahumyan region, and on December 10
a Referendum on Independence was held with participation of
international observers.

Second, on October 18, 1991 Azerbaijan declared invalid the Soviet
agreement and the dominance of the Soviet Constitution as it refers to
points on the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan and became the descendant
of the 1918-1920 Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, of which Nagorno
Karabakh never comprised part either de facto, or de jure. For this
very fact the annexation of Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijan was
considered invalid. On the last days of 1991 the Soviet Union
dissolved.

Thus, in compliance with provisions of international law and USSR
legislation, two independent and equal states — the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan — were formed on the
territory of Soviet Azerbaijan.

In January 1992 The Parliament of Nagorno Karabakh formed a Government
and applied to all the countries of the world to recognize its
independence.

Thus, the declaration of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and all further
legal acts stemming from it do not contradict the declaration of
Azerbaijan as an independent state, do not restrict its independence
and sovereignty and do not disturb its territorial integrity.

2. From the very beginning the legal steps of Nagorno Karabakh people
met Azerbaijan’s way of settlement of the conflict in a military way,
which led to a bloody war, thousands of victims and hundreds of
thousands of refugees.

Getting convinced that it will not achieve its objectives in a
military way, on May 12, 1994 the leadership of Azerbaijan had to sign
a cease-fire treaty,of which the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a party.

Thus, as an aggressor country, Azerbaijan carries full responsibility
for the sufferings and material losses of its citizens and the
citizens of Nagorno Karabakh.

3. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a full-fledged independent
state. It is resolute to continue the further deepening of the process
directed at the reinforcement of democracy in the country and is ready
to cooperate with international organizations interested in the
defense of human rights and freedom of speech, establishment of
democracy and rule of law.

4. Nagorno Karabakh is willing to participate in peace processes. The
success of this process is possible if Azerbaijan respects the right
for self-determination of NKR people, refuses from hostile actions
against theNagorno Karabakh Republic and assuming a corresponding
responsibility before the international community.

5. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic highly appreciates the efforts of
mediator countries and organizations tasked with the finding a
comprehensive settlement and considers that the resolution process
cannot ignore the de facto Nagorno Karabakh Republic established in
the result of realization of the right for self-determination of
peoples

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress