PanARMENIAN.Net
Circumstances against Armenia in Karabakh issue, RA
ex-Foreign Minister says
24.05.2008 17:41 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The process of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement can be divided in four stages:
1991-1994, 1994-1998 and 1998-up to present day,
Armenia’s former Foreign Minister said.
-There are four basic factors which influence on
resolution of all conflicts. These are the trends of
international development, regional interests of world
powers, internal political situation in the
conflicting countries and diplomatic potential of the
sides,- Vartan Oskanian told a conference dedicated to
20th anniversary of the Karabakh movement.
Assessing the first stage, Mr Oskanian remarked that
immediately after the USSR decline the international
principles worked against Armenia. -Recognizing
appearance of new states, the international community
did not allow parts of these states go exercise their
right to self-determination, fearing of domino effect.
The interests of world powers were not clearly
outlined; the situation in the conflicting countries
was shaky. The international community attempted to
resolve the conflict through total dissemination of
democratic principles and engagement of the
conflicting sides in national projects. However, all
this led to a lingering war. In 1994-98 the
international community started questioning its
approaches to conflicts. The accents were changed,
giving way to professional diplomacy. Conflicting
counties recovered and world powers came to form their
interests in the region,- he said.
With the shift of power in Armenia 1998, international
tendencies have changed. Thanks to matured diplomacy,
a document clearly mentioning of the right of
Karabakhi people to self-determination was developed.
Ten years after, the circumstances are against
Armenians. After recognition of Kosovo, the
international opinion tends to oppose the right to
self-determination. Announcements that Kosovo should
never become a precedent will be an obstacle in our
way. Besides, confrontation between Russia and the
U.S. will have a negative impact on our region.
Furthermore, the current domestic situation in Armenia
has never been so shaky for past 20 years. The forth
factor, diplomacy, acquires huge importance under the
circumstances. The new President and Foreign Minister
have already announced that the previous policy will
be continued. However, I do not see exact accents. I
think that the document at the table is the best and I
am hopeful Azerbaijan won’t reject it,- Mr Oskanian
resumed, KarabakhOpen reports.