ALTERNATIVE VERSION OF SETTLEMENT OF NKR CONFLICT SENT TO MINSK GROUP

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[04:00 pm] 17 January, 2007

Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group Yuri Merzlyakov and Matthew Bryza
have received a letter representing an alternative version of the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict. If the Armenian side refuses to
give territories to Azerbaijan, the co-chairs will consider the offers
of the letter, the authors of the alternative version are convinced.

The alternative version has been processed within the framework
of the Dortmund conference which took place in Moscow on December
8-10, 2006. Members of the working group Aram Sargsyan, Vagharshak
Haroutyunyan and Hayk Baboukhanyan mentioned that all the three sides
(Armenia, Karabakh, and Azerbaijan) agree with the document. According
to the information of the members of the working group, the OSCE Minsk
group co-chairs will discuss the letter during their January meeting.

According to the alternative version, the approach "security in return
for territories" is rejected. The sides must refrain from preaching
hostility and must exchange all the documents concerning the refugees
so that they can get their pension and necessary compensations. The
version offers to create conditions for the citizens of both
countries to be able to cross the border and visit the graves of
their relatives. It also offers to create "independent villages"
in the territory near Karabakh where former and present residents of
Karabakh can meet and engage in commerce.

According to the participants of the Dortmund conference, the document
aims at raising public awareness and participation in the negotiation
process. "Peace is won by nations", said Aram Sargsyan. Vagharshak
Haroutyunyan reminded that one of the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs,
Kerry Cavano said that the Presidents of the two countries are ready
to settle the conflict, whereas the nations are yet not.

According to Haroutyunyan, this testifies to the fact that the
secretiveness of the negotiations will not have good results.

As for the announcement of the Azeri President that Karabakh will never
be independent, according to Aram Sargsyan, official Yerevan ought
to have given a stricter answer. "Armenia must refuse to participate
in the negotiations unless Azerbaijan revises its harsh approach. If
Karabakh is not given independence, that what are we discussing? ". The
participants of the Dortmund conference underline that compromise
must be mutual: if Armenia gives territories to Azerbaijan, we must
have the right to demand equal territories.