WHETHER EUROPEANS WILL BELIEVE KARABAKH’S TEARS
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily – Armenia
20 June 07

In response to our questions, LYUDMILA HAROUTYUNYAN, Dean of the
Faculty of Sociology of the Yerevan State University, touches upon
the NKR Presidential elections

"Let’s try to understand the sense and the logic of the political
processes under way in Karabakh. To begin with, can the key to the
Kosovo conflict settlement, i.e. first principles and then status,
become a precedent for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict? This
means Kosovo first has to become a state living in accordance with
democratic principles and then be granted a relevant status.

The Kosovo variant is currently said to be inapplicable to other
conflicts, but we all realize well that the Kosovo key will open
the doors of the other conflicts. Karabakh believes that the problem
of its status will be resolved through a referendum, therefore the
society Karabakh presently has a very important problem to solve:
to show that Nagorno Karabakh is a democratic state; it is capable
of mastering its own fate independently and is trying to convince
the international community of that."

"Do you think Karabakh will not solve that problem and it still has
something to prove to the world?"

"Let’s not forget that Karabakh is still in a ‘neither peace nor war’
situation, and every day it hears Azerbaijan’ statements on further
settlements through military operation, that’s to say, it is de
facto in a situation of military mobilization. No country is in such
situation can be very democratic.

Moreover, if somebody says Karabakh is a 100 per cent democratic
country, we have no right to call that person’s sincerity into
question. Why?

Because, democracy is first of all pluralism, whereas military
mobilization implies the prevalence of a single opinion. Democracy
implies dissidence, rivalry, conflict of principles and opinions,
whereas military mobilization requires something quite different, But
we should also be realistic and state that Karabakh, nevertheless,
continues to live in a ‘neither war nor peace’ situation and be
grateful to the people of Artsakh for realizing the value of democracy
and appreciate what we have considering certain criteria. First,
have any alternative chances developed in Karabakh? Second, is such
alternative present in the electoral processes? Third, are there
prerequisites for the citizens to express their will freely? And,
finally, are fair and equal starting conditions guaranteed for all
the candidates?

It is the answer to these questions that the public and the authorities
of Karabakh should give, committing themselves to certain obligations
even if there is nothing apparently imposed by the international
community."

"What is your impression as an observer? Is Karabakh ready for
such test?"

"It is difficult to give an answer definitely, looking from aside.

One thing is clear: there is no alternative for democratic elections
in Karabakh. It is a different matter whether an ordinary person
realizes this and whether by doing so heshe forces the authorities to
comply with their commitments. Has the society of Karabakh developed
into civil society, and does it live in accordance with democratic
criteria?"

"The European observers have always expressed positive assessments
with regards to the elections of Karabakh, and they appreciate that
this small country that has waged a war, shed blood and is craving to
confirm its independence is displaying such political will. This, in
my opinion, makes the attitude of the Europeans a little bit emotional
with regard to the processes underway in Karabakh, and they, perhaps,
somehow close their eyes to certain lapses.

Secondly, there also works the factor of encouragement. A European
sees that the first step has been made and he appreciates this to
encourage the second. And thirdly, Europe is willing to help Karabakh,
considering the well-known truth. Help is given to the one who helps
himself. That is, seeing that the people of Karabakh have realized
the value of democracy, it is trying to help them.

In this respect, there is no need to be tempted into the form and
omnipotence in order to show what we don’t have. It is very important
for democratic elections to be really held in Karabakh and for Karabakh
to really become a small democratic country, live in peace and become
recognized by the international community.

And on top of all, in case not all are equal in Karabakh, and people
have no access to democratic freedom, and justice and rule of law do
not become a way of life, Nagorno Karabakh will have no chances to
resist the future challenges. Sober logic says that Karabakh has no
alternative. It remains to the public and authorities of Karabakh
deserve the achievements gained through of Artsakh’s struggle of
existence."

"To what extent to you consider the individual factor, i.e. the
President’s personal features and attitudes, decisive from this point
of view?"

"The new NKR President should have a clear-cut idea with regards to
the limits of concessions and be confident enough to submit it to
the people’s approval.

The next most important problem to be solved by the President is
to make Karabakh an active party to the negotiations again. Today,
Karabakh is alienated from the talks, and society has a feeling that
it is not the master its fate. The mediators arrive in Yerevan;
then they leave for Baku, agree upon certain issues. And where is
Karabakh left? After all, it is the fate of Artsakh and not Armenia
and Azerbaijan that is put to discussion, and this compulsory format
in which Karabakh is left out should be changed if the parties and
the international community are interested in the establishment of
peace in the region."