NEGOTIATIONS ON NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT LEAD TO DEADLOCK, DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN DECLARES
Noyan Tapan
Jan 17 2006
YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh
settlement lead to a deadlock, and the document to be signed as a
result of them may become a reason for war resumption. Aram Sargsian,
Chairman of Democratic Party of Armenia, declared at the January 17
press conference. As he affirmed, the Armenian people is not ready
for ceding territories and one-sided return of refugees envisaged
by that document. Besides, peacekeeping forces’ possible entering
the region, in A.Sargsian’s words, will violate already formed
geopolitical balance.
The Democratic Party leader said that the participants of the dialogue
on Nagorno Karabakh problem proceeding since 2001 within the framework
of Dartmouth conference have lately written to the Minsk Group
Co-chairs and presented an alternative approach of Nagorno Karabakh
settlement. As representatives of dialogue participants – Azerbaijan,
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh affirmed, all-embracing settlement of
Nagorno Karabakh problem is only possible with involvement of these
countries’ citizens in the peaceful settlement process.
"Political leaders can carry on negotiations, but only the people
can achieve peace," the letter read.
In A.Sargsian’s words, the Minsk Group Co-chairs have already received
the letter and will discuss the letter’s proposals soon. He said
that the meeting of Minsk Group Co-chairs with the Dartmouth Group
participants scheduled for 2006 December did not take place, as in
spite of Azerbaijan’s making stricter its position, the Armenian
President already in November had agreed to the proposal of returning
the territories. As DPA Chairman affirmed, the negotiating sides have
reached agreement over all issues and it only remains to make clear
the term of the referendum to be held on the issue of NKR status.