PLEDGE OF PRESERVATION OF STATEHOOD IS IN THE UNITY

Azat Artsakh Daily
25 Sep 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

On September, 21st the Republic of Armenia has solemnly noted the
Independence Day. The Third Armenian Republic was born exactly17
years ago, having opened thereby a new page in the history of
Armenia and having marked the important stage in restoration of
the Armenian statehood. Before formation in May, 1918 of the First
Armenian Republic our people throughout 600 years have been deprived
statehood. And though in Soviet years we were obliged to forget about
independence, nevertheless,it was possible to keep the statehood
within the limits of the former USSR. In1991 it became obvious,
that liquidation of Soviet Union was inevitable. As a result of
disintegration of the USSR on a political card of the world there
was a Republic of Armenia – the centuries-old dream of the Armenian
people of the free and independent native land became true. Today
RA is the country with enough developed economy and democracy, is
the full subject of international law, which conducts independent
foreign policy and is presented in many significant international
structures. Giving due to declaration of independence of Armenia
and formation of the third republic as to the important political
event, today nevertheless it would be desirable to talk not only in
celebratory tones. It has become clear that achieving inde pendence
is not enough, not less, and it probably, is much more difficult to
keep and strengthen it. For the past 17 years the Armenian statehood
has passed a hard way which has been noted not only by victories and
achievements, but also by difficulties and even tragedies. Though many
of these problems are peculiar to the transition period countries,
in the range of which Armenia is, but this circumstance does not
soften their negative influence on destinies of the country and the
people. Let’s remember, what serious tests were for durability for
the state connected with war got unbridled by Azerbaijan, execution of
October 1999 in the Armenian parliament, postelective events in March
of this year, which led to human victims. Fortunately, the Armenian
statehood has sustained these blows, thereby having confirmed its
independence and vitality, ability to resist to both internal, and
external war- calls. Building of independent statehood, we may say,
is a long process if not to say – permanent, demanding, first of all,
national unity, internal stability and harmony of the Armenian society.

Unfortunately, actions of aggressive Armenian opposition so-called led
by ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan do not leave bases of optimism."The
formers’" recent steps which tried to loosen internal political
stability in Armenia and on this wave to return to the power,
differently as attempts of state revolution will not name. They
did=2 0not hide the intention to dismantle existing system of the
government, that inevitably would lead to blasting of foundations of
the state. Consequences could be extremely tragical, up to unbridling
of civil war. Similar succession of events would put under serious
threat the future of Armenia and as consequence -the destiny of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. There is no doubt, that if L.Ter-Petrosyan
and its company managed to provoke civil war, Azerbaijan would not fail
to take advantage of a situation and to begin war against NKR. Last
events in the world and our region testify, that the international
law practically doesn’t hold true, for depending on a political
conjuncture it is treated by each international player in own way.

In similar conditions it’s obvious, that for achievement by
that or other not recognised state formation of the international
recognition of the independence should have also support of recognised
states.. In a case of Kosovo is the West, led by the political
heavyweight of the USA, in case of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is
Russia. Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is compelled to hope for the help
and assistance of Armenia.Bearing in mind the circumstance, that
Karabakh party practically remained out of negotiating process, Armenia
represents and defends its interests both round the negotiating table,
and in various international instances. We don’t speak about Armenia,
which is the guarantor of safety NKR and its citizens in the case of
constant threat of renewal of military actions from Azerbaijan. In
such situation easing of Armenia is equal to death. For that reason
all political forces of RA should realise the responsibility for the
future of the country and the Armenian people and not cross a side,
where overthere -chaos and possibility of loss of statehood.

In present extremely difficult geopolitical conditions when
political situation of the region has undergone serious changes
and has put forward before both Armenian states new calls, the
question of consolidation and unity of the Armenian people finds a
big urgency. As all the moments of our people’s history testify,just
the unity of armenian people has been capable to rescue from tragedy
and to provide forward development and strengthening of statehood of
Armenia.The kernel of three-unity of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and
Diaspora today can be the Third Armenian Republic. That is why all
the armenians should be terribly interested in strong, prospering
and stable Armenia which is confidently looking towards its future.