SPOKESMAN FOR ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT: ILHAM ALYIEV’S BETTER TAKE CARE OF HIS OWN THINGS

Regnum, Russia
Aug 13 2007

A REGNUM correspondent addressed spokesman for the Armenian resident
Viktor Sogomonyan asking to comment on the current stage of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement as well as several statements made
by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Kazakhstan.

REGNUM: What do you think of the current stage of the negotiations on
the Nagorno Karabakh settlement? Do statements made by the official
Baku that the talks have come to a deadlock correspond with reality?

It is hard to give an ambiguous assessment to the current stage of
the talks. I would rather abstain from certain definitions; moreover,
assessments of the process made by parties involved directly in the
negotiations are usually subjective.

At the same time, the fact is the talks gave born no results. Causes
of such situation are evident for the Armenian side. These are
non-constructive position of the Azerbaijani side, and the illusion
that time can be reversed and one can go back to the state of affairs
of 1988. Existence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is an evident
fact and it cannot become a matter of bargain.

That is why, taking into account the non-constructive position of the
Azerbaijani side, the Armenian president reiterated that he had only
careful optimism about success of the talks. I am afraid the optimism
has become even more careful.

REGNUM: In an interview to a Kazakh newspaper, the Azerbaijani
president once again presented allegations to the Armenian side. In
particular, Aliyev said that "the Armenian side is acting insincerely
and is trying to drag time and deceives the mediators." Besides
Aliyev announced that if "Armenia suspends the policy of occupation,
the relations between Baku and Yerevan come to normal, and Armenia
will gain more from cooperation with Azerbaijan than from tips from
outside." How could comment on it?

Unfortunately, as you can see, Mr. Aliyev had enough political will and
courage only for another indiscretion. I would not rather comment much
on those opuses, I would only say that there is someone to think of
the future of Armenians, the future of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. Mr. Aliyev should better take care of his own things.