MAYBE KOCHARYAN DOES NOT HAVE ANOTHER WAY OUT

KarabakhOpen
25-05-2007 14:25:10

If the opposition is likely to create a force majeure through the
agreement on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict and make Robert
Kocharyan resign, the ex-prime minister of Armenia, the leader of
the Freedom Party Hrant Bagratyan will be against.

First of all, the former prime minister says efforts to unite around
the idea of impeachment fail, experience shows it. He is for the
ideological consolidation of the opposition. Besides, if a situation
occurs when Robert Kocharyan will be made to resign for signing the
document on resolution, Hrant Bagratyan, who is not from Kocharyan’s
team, will ask what the force demanding resignation offers in return.

"Maybe he does not have another way out. In connection with the
Karabakh issue, the approaches are different, despite the ideology. I
am nor for such a force majeure. Especially that why will the president
sign, who has only 8 or 9 months?" Hrant Bagratyan says. (Lragir.am)

Nagorno Karabakh President’s Aid for Foreign Policy Arman Melikian
does not feel special optimism in connection with the possibility
of reaching successful results in the negotiation process on
Karabakh. "When we see a concrete result that the Karabakh side
agrees with, then it will be possible to display optimism. Currently
I consider such displays as premature," Melikian underlined.

Touching upon the current stage of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement process, NKR President’s Aid stressed today the Minsk
process has turned into a negotiation between foreign ministers and
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. At the same time Melikian again
reminded about the right of Nagorno Karabakh to be a participant in
the negotiation process. Commenting on OSCE MG Co-Chairs’ statement
that mediators were not the cause of excluding representatives of
Stepanakert from talks, anyhow Melikian found a share of guilt for
the Co-Chairs, "since they agreed for such a format of negotiations".

In Arman Melikian’s opinion the Co-Chairs began to realize that
Armenian refugees are a serious factor, neglect of which will result
in a deadlock in the settlement issue. "If Armenian refugees agreed
to return Azerbaijan it would be possible to speak about return of
Azeris. If no, it is necessary to think about where these people will
live, where their new homeland will be. From this viewpoint liberated
territories are the most appropriate places," Arman Melikian stated,
IA Regnum reports.

"Azerbaijan always had a principle position on the settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We support peaceful solution to the
conflict and are ready to use all resources," Azerbaijani Deputy
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said, APA reports.

Azimov said that Azerbaijani will agree to cooperate with Armenia
only on condition that there is normal situation for it, first of
all Azerbaijani territories have to be liberated and Armenia has to
recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

The Deputy Minister also stated that Azerbaijani will not
allow liberating adjacent regions of Nagorno Karabakh under any
conditions. Liberating seven regions is now being negotiated.

"The liberated territories will have to be cleared, and it will be
implemented with support of international organizations. One of the
main problems will be mineclearance. It will take much time," he said.

Araz Azimov said the people will be brought back after rehabilitation.

He underlined impossibility of bringing back the IDPS to Nagorno
Karabakh is at initial stage.

"First of all, liberation of seven regions has to be solved. Security
issues have to be solved so that Azerbaijanis can return
there. Azerbaijanis will be brought back there only when security
issues are solved, and the two communities may live together. The
issue on autonomy will be out of discussion unless security issues
are solved," he said.

Araz Azimov said referendum on the status of Nagorno Karabakh can be
held and underlined that it will be held all over the country.

Commenting on Lachin corridor, the deputy minister said this corridor
is regarded as a contact road of Armenia with Nagorno Karabakh
Armenians, two sides of the road can be commissioned.

"If Armenia wants to cooperate with Azerbaijan, it has to consider
joint use of this road. Azerbaijan will not allow changing the status
of the corridor.

This road is Azerbaijani territory and it will not change. The
negotiations should also determine the terms of Armenia’s using this
road," he said.