EVERYONE IS EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW, ONLY THE GOD IS ABOVE IT
KarabakhOpen
15-06-2007 18:38:19
Interview with the candidate for the NKR President Masis Mayilian
-Mr. Mayilian, putting your candidature for the NKR President,
which is the way you chose for the NKR development – reformation or
consecutive continuation of the current course?
-I already had an opportunity to note that today our state is on the
threshold of significant reforms, which are needed by the society. I
admit certain achievements reached so far, at the same time, I am
convinced that current pace, as well as moral and psychological
atmosphere significantly complicate putting basis for future
development. We have no right to mark time; moreover, we are doomed
to develop with progressing pace in order to defend our freedom. For
this, many things need to be changed.
-Do you think the elections will be fair and free?
-Civilized elections must become an issue of top priority for the
incumbent authorities. This is primary, and the political struggle must
arise from it, since this is what the republic’s international image
and its further development depend on. Although members of electoral
commissions belong to political and other forces, which have already
stated their support for one of the candidates, still I hope that
state thinking will prevail. Presence of international observers and
journalists may become an additional impetus for fair elections.
The most important, however, is the following: much will
depend on position of the Artsakh society and degree of civil
self-consciousness. If public consciousness will be against
lawlessness, the elections will be free and fair. Those responsible
for the electoral process must be sure that any violation will be
punished with the whole strictness of the law. Everyone is equal
before the law, only the God is above it.
-Which electorate and whose support do you count on?
-I anticipate support by various categories of people, all those,
who are also convinced in the necessity of significant and systemic
reforms. There are lots of such people in state institutions, as well
as in social-political field and among ordinary citizens.
-What do you think about the idea of a common candidate? Does this
cause any trouble for you as a candidate?
-As you know, the key political players preferred supporting not
their own, but a common candidate. As far as I understand, this is
a common candidate for the mentioned forces. Although, this idea
is unacceptable in viewpoint of the adopted logics of political
developments, however, I think it is the right of political forces
and at the end of the day I don’t see any obstacles in that. It
is another thing that it would be more preferable to see electoral
commissions more representative. I am not worried by the idea of a
common candidate by certain political forces for one simple reason –
a very small part of Karabakh society belongs to parties. Besides,
many things depend on how effective and controlled the mechanisms of
ensuring fair and transparent elections will be.
-How would you assess the mass media in this period, in particular,
the Public television?
-The specificity of pre-election period is in the increase of demand
for public discussions. Only broad discussions, dialogue and polemics
can ensure civilized elections and raise public awareness. However,
I have an impression that the idea of public discussions causes
concerns among definite circles. We can and have to openly discuss
urgent issues.
-In recent times much is being said about the liberated territories. Do
you think they need to be resettled? If yes, what needs to be done
for that?
-I already had a chance to express my position over this issue. To put
it briefly – the issue of top priority for me is the one of physical
security of the NKR citizens and the right for sovereign statehood.
Preservation and strengthening of the current existing borders of
the NKR is one of the key elements for security of the NKR citizens,
as well as the republic’s life and protection of the right for
independent statehood.
Hence, my position is appropriate. For me it is more than obvious
that our country cannot develop independently and ensure military
and economic security within the fundamentally illegitimate enclave
borders of the former NKAO. The whole liberated territory of Artsakh
must see a systemic rehabilitation and resettlement. Resettlement of
the liberated territories is a national, state and moral imperative for
Artsakh and all the Armenians, and the current rates of and strategy
of the resettlement must be assessed as ineffective.