AZERBAIJAN LOYAL TO SEARCH FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO KARABAKH KNOT – DIPLOMAT
Vaqif Sadixov

Day.az
June 3 2008
Azerbaijan

There remains less and less potential for a peaceful resolution to
the Karabakh conflict, nevertheless Azerbaijan will be completely
devoted to honouring its own commitments’" The co-chairs of the
OSCE Minsk Group, separate organizations and countries have been
permanently calling on the sides to the Karabakh conflict to make
mutual compromises for the resolution of the problem. Being everything
obvious with Armenia, to what extent is it reasonable to demand
compromises from Azerbaijan, the side subjected to the occupation?

Compromises inevitable to have the problem resolved

[Sadixov] Of course, as a whole, compromises as the basis of the
negotiations process, be it the Karabakh or any other issue, are
normal. People sit at the negotiations table when they are ready
for something to sacrifice, to give up something and come to some
an agreed decision at the end. Agree, otherwise, they would not sit
at the negotiations table. This is summary of the simplified view
on the issue. However, in such conditions concerning the issue of
death and life, it goes without saying that one should think time and
again on how far you are ready to make compromises. Moreover, when
issues are about basic moments, such as, the territorial integrity
and sovereignty.

Azerbaijan has been in the so-called Minsk process since 1992, i.e.,
since the establishment of the group. We proceed from the fact that
Azerbaijan has always been open to compromises and we have sacrificed
a lot in the negotiations process under all changes and upheavals of
international life around this process, both in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

However, all the efforts of Azerbaijan have always been channelled into
not overstepping this subtle point between the position of principle
and compromises. Everyone knows there are strategic principles behind
which remain strategic interests. But within the framework of this
strategy any country has, and this is normal, some tactical plans,
synchronizing it in advance taking into account own potential and
opportunities of other countries in a predictable situation. Sometimes,
the development of this situation may not depend on you, something
may take place somewhere and the situation may change.

Therefore, we do not subject the word of a "compromise" to rejection,
but at the same time, study thoroughly what we are suggested,
including by the mediators and what we shall be submitted under
packing of compromises.

I can say that as of now, the executive authorities of Azerbaijan
have not ever, despite any apocalyptic statements from various sides,
forgotten about the position of principal of the Azerbaijani state and
the people of Azerbaijan, and all the activities while performing
the negotiations process have been proceeded on the basis of a
precise plan.

Certainly, at some point, we take into consideration developments
around international situation, and we can, so to speak, present
this or another moment in a distinct form, but at the same time,
we have never made steps back from the principal position and this
will never be the case. At the same time, we, certainly, always study
proposals which we get from different sides and we study those calls
for compromises through the prism of our own interests.

[Correspondent] But some continue to maintain that without compromises
from Azerbaijan, no resolution to the conflict is possible, trying
to compel us to reconcile ourselves with the current status quo…

[Sadixov] You know, at a recent conference in Baku, her speaker while
addressing also spoke in the same course, saying that the manifestation
of a position of principle is fine, but is it possible then to come
to an agreement.

Respect your code of principles – deputy minister

We cannot forget about our position of principle importance. The
permanent calls for compromises being heard from various sides
in conditions when we are trying to resolve this conflict not
somewhere else sitting in a boulevard, but within the framework of
an international organization which has the code of own principles
(in this case, this is the Helsinki Final Act), they say like this:
"You are right. We have principles, but we do not want to use them
while assessing this situation, but simply suggest that you to forget
about them and come to an agreement between yourselves."

My response to it is this: "Do you not seem that by this you thereby
recognize the current situation, and if by virtue of some reasons, you
recognize the seizure of our territories by Armenia, thus you stop at
a very dangerous point, because when tomorrow the situation changes
for 180 degrees and President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham
Aliyev orders the minister of defence to launch military operations
to restore the territorial integrity, the situation will completely
change and then you would be forced to ask Armenia: "Bear in mind
the existing situation and make compromises?"

Thus, there emerges a vicious circle. If you at least once reject the
international principles, then you are get used to repeating about
compromises and forget about principles of independence irrespective
of the situation on the field of battle. This is a cynical approach.

[Correspondent] In the meantime, Azerbaijan itself has trusted the
OSCE to find a resolution to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, however,
this mediation has not been successful until now. Does this call in
question the ability of the OSCE to resolve the problem, and to what
extent is a proposal to replace the mediating countries of the OSCE
Minsk Group topical?

Azerbaijan to go its part in search for a peace solution

[Sadixov] Despite all complexity of the negotiations process and
all those critical remarks of us with regard to the co-chairs and
their separate actions, nevertheless, we consider that we have to go
through the peaceful part of the settlement process, but at the same
time, Azerbaijan is proceeding from the fact that there are still
opportunities to move forward, and we want to be honest and live up
to our pledge. Therefore, we shall go along this way until there is
an opportunity to regulate the conflict by peaceful means.