POOR MARK FOR FOREIGN POLICY?
KarabakhOpen
11-04-2008 10:53:24
In the past 10 years the Armenian political scientists stated every
now and then that the talks for Karabakh are not moving in the right
direction. They pointed to the drawbacks.
In particular, the "fatal" mistake was said to be leaving out Karabakh
of the talks. As a result, the talks were shifted from the domain of
recognition of the right of Karabakh for self-determination to the
domain of territorial claims of Armenia to Azerbaijan.
The second mistake, according to political scientists, is the
discussion of the status of Karabakh within the borders of the
former autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and as a result the
territories around the former region are viewed as "liberated",
"occupied", but not part of NKR.
In this connection, the programs of settlement of several regions
slowed down.
Thirdly, the political potential of Stepanakert was not used
intensively enough. Moreover, a number Armenian organizations lost
confidence in Armenia.
Fourthly, the lack of the legal basis of the military presence of
Armenia in Karabakh.
Fifthly, neither Armenia, nor Karabakh conducted an intensive
information policy aimed at conveying the irreversibility of the
aspiration of Karabakh to independence to the international community.
The government of Armenia which assumed full responsibility for the
talks did not admit to its mistakes and said the talks are in favor
of Armenia. As a major achievement, the minister of foreign affairs
of Armenia points to the status of Karabakh which has become the
issue of the talks.
Nevertheless, this issue was not included in the UN GA resolution
on Karabakh.
As of today, apparently they will start admitting their mistakes. At
least, they are already saying loud that it is necessary to involve
Karabakh in the talks and Armenia must reject negotiations.
Recently the Armenian parliament has stated likely to include the issue
of settlement of Karabakh on the agenda of the upcoming meeting. We
have learned that currently the text of the interstate agreement
between Armenia and Karabakh is being drafted. The parliamentarians are
likely to recommend the government to conduct a pro-active information
policy and create