ARMENIA SHOULD TAKE MORE DECISIVE STEPS IN KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE RECOGNITION
ARKA
Feb 25, 2008
YEREVAN, February 25. /ARKA/. Armenia should take more decisive
steps in the recognition of Karabakh’s independence, said Levon
Melik-Shahnazarian, political scientist.
For this purpose, Armenia should turn to the countries that recognized
the independence of Kosovo, not to international organizations like
the Council of Europe and United Nations, according to the expert.
He believes Armenia should by all means recognize the independence
of Kosovo.
"Both Armenia and Artsakh should react to this process,"
Melik-Shahnazarian said. "A joint resolution or an appeal to the
countries that recognized Kosovo could have been adopted in Stepanakert
some two days ago during the meeting dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of the Karabakh movement."
The political scientist called on to "talk strictly in the language
of law, without any emotions" to tell the truth to the world community.
He pointed out that Azerbaijani-Turkish relations have become worse,
as Turkey has already recognized the independence of Kosovo while
watching the reaction of North Cyprus, whereas Azerbaijan is afraid
of the same scenario in Karabakh.
Melik-Shahnazarian believes any parallels drawn between Kosovo and
Artsakh are in favor of the latter and if the international community
does not recognize the independence of Karabakh for political reasons,
it will be immorality. "We cannot enter this unfair swamp, but we
should insist on an official response to the Karabakh issue," the
expert said. "What about the self-determination of the Karabakhi
people after the recognition of Kosovo?"
The Regional Council of Karabakh held a special session on February 20,
1998 and passed the declaration to the supreme soviets of the soviet
republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia on seceding from Azerbaijan and
joining Armenia.
The session gave a start to the Nagorno-Karabakh liberation war. This
historical decision was preceded by a number of similar decisions
made by regional councils.
However, the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist
Party of the Soviet Union made a decision contradicting international
principles of self-determination. The centre tried to substitute
the issue’s political settlement for social-economic measures, which
resulted in the long-standing resentment of the Karabakhi people.
Baku officials and Boris Kevorkov, first secretary of the party’s
regional committee, tried to oppose the declaration. Azerbaijan tired
to prevent by all means Karabakh’s reunion with Armenia. As a result
of the confrontation, a bloody war broke out soon.