NOBODY ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT REAL SETTLEMENT

KarabakhOpen
22-01-2008 15:52:38

Recently the basic issues of a peace settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict have been discussed more often. Some time ago the OSCE Minsk
Group visited Stepanakert. Judging by NKR President Bako Sahakyan’s
statement, some points of this agreement do not correspond to the
interests of Karabakh. Consequently, the basic issues have not been
agreed on. The fate of people is at stake but people are unaware,
they only guess. They guess that may be the return of territories
and refugees is discussed. Nobody assumes the responsibility to tell
people about the reality.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs stated they had extended a document
to the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, which contains
the basic issues of the settlement of the conflict. Ostensibly,
the points are the following: withdrawal of Armenian force from the
territories around the former autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh,
deployment of peacekeeping force, mine clearance and reconstruction,
return of refugees, referendum on independence in Karabakh in 15
years. The issues are highly sensitive.

Therefore, perhaps, they are not revealed.

"Maybe the co-chairs should nevertheless ask the people of Karabakh
what to return and what not to return, and whether it should be
returned. Do we need peacekeepers, which will probably include
conscientious "defenders" of peace? Let us remember Kosovo. Has
anyone thought about the impressive demographic indices, which will
become deciding after the return of the Azerbaijani refugees to
Karabakh? There would be a demographic explosion in Karabakh. What
about the Armenian refugees? They are also refugees, aren’t they? How
about mine clearance? It has already started, hasn’t it? If we agree
to those points, we will run into a deadlock, at least for another 70
years, or even a century. Does history repeat?" says Narine Stepanyan
from Stepanakert.

"Most sources of water of Karabakh are in Karvachar. Who thought of
returning this region? A person with a good sense would never sign
such a document. Does anyone worry about the physical security of
the people of Karabakh?" Anna Mnatsakanyan asks.