Armenian leader doubts effect of sanctions against Iran

Arminfo
28 Apr 07

Yerevan, 27 April: Armenia has four neighbours, and we have no
relations with two of them. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said
this today during a meeting with students and professors of Yerevan
State University.

"There is an undeclared war with one [neighbour], a situation of
neither war nor peace. It is highly important for us to develop
constructive relations with the other two. This is why we try to
build such relations with Georgia and Iran," the president said and
reminded that programmes of strategic importance for Armenia have
begun with Iran. Part of them has already begun and the other part
is being planned.

"Concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, it is a sensitive issue, and we
try to avoid its most sensitive parts," the president said. He said
that one thing is obvious, the administration and the people of Iran
are certain that it is their legal right, considering that a refusal
to have a nuclear programme will mean discrimination. It is an issue
of honour for them, the president said.

Kocharyan believes that resolutions and sanctions will not have an
impact on this issue. "This is not such a country and such a nation,"
Kocharyan said. He said that this circumstance makes the situation
even more difficult. "One block of sanctions, and then the second.

What will the result be? Where is the limit, after which sanctions
of force will be taken?" The president assessed the development
of the process as dangerous. "Our approach is the following: only
through negotiations," the president stressed. Following the example
of Turkey and Armenia, Kocharyan demonstrated the ineffectiveness
of sanctions. "Turkey closed the border with Armenia. What did it
achieve? Will we stop insisting on the international recognition
of the genocide, if the border is closed?" Kocharyan said that on
this sensitive issue a path must be chosen , which will rule out an
undesirable course of events.

Kocharyan spoke about relations between Armenia and Iran, and said
that "We are honest both with Iran and the United States. We examine
our position openly, we do not follow a two-sided or three-sided
policy." The president mentioned at the same time that Armenia would
not like to have a neighbour armed with nuclear weapons. "In any case,
the Iranian president assures that his country does not strive for it,"
Kocharyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress