ACCORDING TO ARMEN RUSTAMIAN, ARMENIA CANNOT DISCUSS RECOGNITION OF ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA OUT OF CONTEXT OF KARABAKH PROBLEM

Noyan Tapan

Au g 27, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, NOYAN TAPAN. "The situation is complex for us. We
respect the right of self-determination, we have always protected
and will protect the Karabakh people’s right to be the arbiter of
its own destiny," representative of the ARF Armenia Supreme Body
Armen Rustamian said when answering the Republic of Armenia daily’s
question about recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia by Russia.

Presenting the position of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun, A. Rustamian said
the matter concerns neighboring Georgia, normal relations with which
proceed from the vital interests of Armenia. "Under such conditions, I
think, Armenia should not hurry and act like in case of Kosovo. Armenia
has not even recognized the independence of Karabakh as it does not
consider the international community’s ability to solve peacefully the
problem as exhausted. In my opinion, the opportunities for peaceful
resolution of the Russian-Georgian conflict have not been exhausted
yet, and this way can and should be used. Armenia cannot discuss
recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia out of context of the
Karabakh problem," A. Rustamian said.