INTERNATIONAL OR DE FACTO RECOGNITION?
Naira Hayrumyan

Lragir
Sept 3 2007
Armenia

On September 2 Karabakh marked its 16th anniversary of independence.

And if in the past 15 years it was a real celebration, this year
it was marked by the bill on the recognition of the independence
proposed by the leader of the oppositionist Heritage Party Raffi
Hovannisian. Although no party has endorsed the bill, it "sparked"
debate on the priority of the international recognition or setting
down the factual independence.

"For us, independence is not an end in itself. It was the only way
of saving the country and people. We had to focus our resource and
efforts on defending the fatherland," said President Arkady Ghukasyan
in this connection. "In foreign affairs, our ultimate goal is the
international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh, and I am sure it will
take place. We must be strong in all aspects: politics, military,
economy, culture, etc.," Arkady Ghukasyan said.

According to the speaker of the Karabakh parliament Ashot Ghulyan,
we have made considerable progress on our track for independence. The
speaker said "the quality of life, the effectiveness of the army and
the creation of a more favorable climate for the activities of various
branches of power help judge about the way the country has passed."

Armenia should be the first to recognize the independence, thinks
Raffi Hovannisian and a great number of Diasporans. The fact that
Armenia has not recognized Karabakh might be the obstacle to the
countries which have no reason not to recognize NKR. Meanwhile, the
Armenian political forces think at the moment the recognition of the
independence of Karabakh by Yerevan is not expedient.

"Over the past 2-2.5 years a significant factor has emerged in the
talks. The international organizations and the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs started to acknowledge the right of Nagorno-Karabakh for
self-determination. I think this is a quite new stage for us. I
would also like to add that the PACE resolution passed in January
2005 maintains that Nagorno-Karabakh Republic may be separated from
Azerbaijan through a democratic way. I think this is an achievement.

On the whole, the talks are satisfactory for us if the international
community eventually recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. I think
it is inevitable. The problem is to bring this moment as closer as
possible," said the speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Tigran
Torosyan who had nevertheless arrived in Karabakh to celebrate the
Independence Day of NKR.

"I don’t think there are people who would not wish the recognition
of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. If it only depended
on the Republic of Armenia… The talks are underway which set their
rules. On the other hand, it’s a tradition that the Armenian parliament
is always unanimous regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It would
be desirable if the members of parliament sustained this approach. It
would enhance the role of the parliament regarding this issue,"
the speaker said. At the same time, he said every year when the
Armenian parliament adopts the budget, it recognizes the independence
of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by providing an interstate loan to an
independent state.

As to Karabakh, it is highly skeptical towards the international
recognition of its independence. We conducted a poll in the streets of
Stepanakert to find out how important it is to people to be citizens
of an independent country.

"It makes no difference they recognize us or not. If there is no
threat and there are conditions to live. Now we are not in danger.

Who knows what will happen if they recognize the independence,"
said a shop assistant on Azatamartikneri Street.

"First Azerbaijan must recognize. If Baku rejects relations with us,
nobody’s recognition will help," said a pensioner walking in the
central part.

"It makes no difference to me, independence or part of Armenia. It’s
important that we don’t depend on Azerbaijan. I heard on TV they are
always nagging at Armenians," said a student of Artsakh State.

"I used to work for the factory, I used to get a high salary. At
that time life was not so easy but now it’s worse. I get 18 thousand
drams. What can I buy on this sum?" says a pensioner selling herbs
on the market.

"Very good. I left Baku for a provincial town, now it has become a
capital. It’s not as big as Baku but it’s a capital. There are nice
concerts, people are cultured, they talk Russian. In 1990 they wanted
us to live in a village but I told my husband no, I want to live in
the city and I don’t regret," said a refugee from Baku.