The ONLY FUNDAMENTAL DOCUMENT SIGNED BY KARABAKH

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[08:48 pm] 12 May, 2008

"The cease-fire treaty achieved between the conflicting sides,
Azerbaijan and Armenia, de facto certifies to Armenia’s military
victory," former Foreign Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian quoted from
British journalist Tom de Vaal’s book "Kharabakh: Black Garden."

Vagharshak Harutiunian participated in the elaboration of the document
in 1994 and in the talks over the Karabakh conflict.

"Fourteen years have passed since then. This is really a serious
document which allows honouring the cease-fire regime and finding a
political solution to the matter. This is the only document signed
by the Nagorno Karabakh Republic although the Azeri side was against
Karabakh’s involvement in the talks," he says.

He notes that the cease-fire regime is observed without a direct
participation of peacekeeping forces.

In this view, the Karabakh conflict is unique in South Caucasus. The
guarantee for the observation of cease-fire regime is the equilibrium
of military forces.

According to the former FM, all attempts of signing an agreement in
1992-1994 were doomed to failure.

Armenia’s military achievements of 1994 contributed to the treaty
conclusion.

Lieutenant-General Vagharshak Harutiunian says the idea of a cease-fire
agreement was proposed by RF Defense Minister Pavel Grachov.

Vagharshak Harutiunian revealed an interesting detail: "three days
after the treaty conclusion Azerbaijan tried to deny its signature."

Upon the request of Azeri FM Mamedraf Mamedov a sitting was convened
with the participation of the Armenian and Azeri FMs and NKR
representative Bako Sahakian.

During the sitting the Azeri side noticed that no reference was made
to the surrender of the liberated territories and said they couldn’t
conclude the treaty. Vagharshak Harutiunian said in reply that all
issues connected with territories and status were to be discussed
through negotiations of a different format.

But for the RF Defense Minister’s interference the Azeri side wouldn’t
sign the treaty. The Russian DM refused intervention in case the
sides didn’t sign the treaty.