ARMENIAN SIDE DOES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO RETURN INTERNALYY DISPLACED
PERSONS TO THEIR PLACES OF RESIDENCE

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Prime Minister Serge
Sargsian on April 13 received the Special Representative of the UN
Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons
Walter Kalin.

Regarding W. Kalin’s visit to Armenia is a manifestation of attention
to the internally displaced persons and refugees living in Armenia,
the prime minister noted that despite the large number of such
persons, it is necessary to find some solutions to the problems of
displaced persons with joint efforts of Armenia and international
organizations. According to him, the further plans of the Armenian
government include certain approaches aimed at solving the problems of
nearly 8.5 thousand internally displaced persons who live in our
country. W. Kalin said that although the number of internally
displaced persons in Armenia is smaller than in other countries, he
considered as its duty to come and see personally what has been done
after his visit to Armenia in 2000 – based on new proposals,
especially as these proposals were welcome at the time by the Armenian
authorities. He underlined that in his opinion, a great deal has been
done indeed, many displaced persons have returned to border villages
or other settlements of Armenia.

At the same time, in the words of W. Kalin, considerable part of
displaced persons still live in bad conditions. He said that he and
the RA minister of territorial governance have already discussed a
program developed in 2005, which proposes that displaced persons
should return to villages, at the same time, new houses should be
built or the old ones – repaired, as well as nteworks of good roads
and infrastructures should be created in places of return. "This is a
good program worth discussing," W. Kalin noted, adding that,
nevertheless, it is not sufficient. According to him, at least another
two conditions are needed for the final and stable solution of the
problem of internally displaced persons: the opportunity to resume
economic activity in place of residence and ensuring their security in
areas of return, which, in his opinion, are problems in need of
solution. Admitting that previously the international community paid
little attention to this problem, W. Kalin assured S. Sargsian that
he will make every effort to bring it to attention of international
donors.

During the meeting, Walter Kalin addressed problems of about 3
thousand families that suffered as a result of the 1988 earthquake,
adding that these people also have status of internally displaced
persons to some extent as they were displaced not of their own free
will. He said that previously the UN mainly focused its attention on
those displaced as a result of military operations but he is convinced
that people, who suffered from natural disasters and are displaced not
of their free will, deserve the same attention. Noting that he is glad
to hear that programs are being developed to help persons displaced
because of the earthquake, Mr Kalin expressed his willingness to
provide his assistance in this issue by attracting donors. He
expressed a hope that these programs will be implemented in the coming
years, and Armenia will no longer be a country having internally
displaced persons.

According to the RA Government Information and PR Department, at the
request of W. Kalin, Serge Sargsian presented his views on settlement
of the Karabakh conflict and the situation on internally displaced
persons and refugees in Azerbaijan. Noting that since the beginning of
the conflict, the Armenian side’s actions have been aimed at helping
the internally displaced persons, solving their problems and assisting
them with intergation into the society, S. Sargsian added that he
will be glad when Armenia is no longer among countries having
population with such status. In his words, the Armenian side is doing
everything so that internally displaced persons will return to their
places of residence and have appropriate living conditions.

In response to W. Kalin’s question, the prime minister said that
recently Azerbaijan has changed its policy and instead of considering
the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons, it is
engaged in issues aimed at their solution. Considerable funds of
international assistance have also been spent for this purpose.

Serge Sargsian pointed out that Armenia is favor of a peaceful and
prompt solution of the conflict in order to prevent similar clashes
and displacement in the future. The prime minister expressed
confidence that there is no version of the conflict’s resolution by
force, and the sooner Azerbaijan realizes it, the closer the parties
will be to the final solution of this problem. Admitting the right of
Azerbaijani refugees to return to thier former places of residence,
the prime minister at the same time noted that it requires a careful
and comprehensive approach and is possible only in case of the
positive end of negotiations around the conflict so that their return
will not result in new clashes and these people will not suffer once
again.