YOUTH DISCUSSES ALTERNATIVES TO PEACE SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT

Karabakhopen
17-01-2008 13:19:22

On January 16 Helsinki Initiative 92, a Karabakh-based NGO, the
Helsinki Civil Assembly and IKV Pax Christy held a round-table meeting
in Stepanakert to which the young representatives of the parties of
Karabakh were invited.

The topics of the discussion were: Is there an alternative to a peace
settlement and what will the region be like in 15 years? The purpose
was to find out the opinion of young political activists on the ways
of settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

The representatives of the youth wings of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun,
the Democratic Party, Helsinki Initiative 92, as well as the youth
organization Birthright Armenia were invited to the discussion.

The organizers say the results of surveys suggest indifference among
the Karabakh youth. Evidence to this is the fact that of 20 young
people invited to the meeting only 4 answered yes to the question
"Are you aware of the Karabakh conflict and what is the official
stance on this issue?"

Opinions on the proposals of the mediators (namely the return of
territories and refugees) varied. All the young people are for peace
but not just at any price.

The representative of the youth wing of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun said
since we have been foes for over a century, it is pointless to try
to find points in common, especially that the current situation
satisfies everyone.

Most young people said against the return of territories and refugees.

Sergey Melkumyan, the representative of the youth wing of the
Democratic Party, says: "As soon as Azerbaijan feels its strength,
it will declare a war."

An optimistic opinion was voiced that as soon as the volume of
production of oil in Baku starts falling in 2012, Baku will stops
threats of war.

There is also an opinion that in case a democratic image of NKR
is shaped, the international community will focus on the regional
problems and the Karabakh issue may be settled then.