SETTLEMENT PRESUPPOSES COMPLEX APPROACH
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
11 Nov 08
Armenia

Yesterday, the National Assembly convened its regular four-day session.

While several MPs were discussing the issues included in the agenda,
the recent and possible developments over the Karabakh issue were
being discussed behind the doors of the session hall.

Below we present the views of RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN, the de facto
leader of "Heritage" faction, with regard to the Moscow (Minedorf)
Declaration signed by the Armenia, Russian and Azeri Presidents,
the Madrid Principles and the Armenian-Turkish relations.

"Mr. Hovhannisyan, how do you estimate the trilateral declaration
signed by the Presidents? Are the rumors on the hazards and traps
lying behind the document justified?"

"I wouldn’t like to make any comments upon the Declaration. After
the rejection of ‘Heritage’ faction’s bill on the recognition of
Karabakh, I have very little to add in this connection. I find that the
initiative was proper both in terms of its contents and the choice of
time, and anyone who has a realistic mentality as well as an ability
to accept his own responsibility realizes that this step should have
been made before the train of the ‘recognitions’ had passed.

I think it is necessary to speak about the subject matter of the issue
rather than the reflections of the Declaration. The declaration signed
by the Presidents is an interim document; what troubles me more is
the reality reflected in it.

Anyway, I hope that Armenia can change the model of the policy it
has adopted with regard to the settlement of the conflict and the
Karabakh issue, making the real and common national interests a basis
for conflict settlement. I haven’t seen the official document, but
judging by what is being circulated in the press, I think that the
Madrid Principles are not acceptable. I wonder how any authority can
assume it as a basis for negotiations. It concerns all the Presidents
who inherited from one another the approaches that are presently
known as ‘Madrid principles’."

"What especially is unacceptable? Do you mean the issue of returning
the territories?"

"Not only the territories. I also mean the complex of issues concerning
security, the unilateral return of the refugees and the status. In
general, I have said on one occasion and have to state once again that
in the long run, it is impossible to settle the Karabakh conflict
without the regulation of the Armenian-Turkish relations. Those
relations have to be regulated in consideration of all aspects,
i.e. history, historical heritage, contacts, migrants and why not,
territories.

The questions touched upon in the frameworks of the Karabakh
peace process should also be put on the table in the context of
the Armenian-Turkish relations. For instance, if we speak about the
migrants, the re-opening of the communication channels and territories,
that should apply to all the parties. When the time comes, all the
migrants, regardless their ethnic background, should be able to return
to the places where they or their ancestors lived. This is the first
thing to say.

The second thing is that, whenever there are discussions over the
return of the regions forming a security zone around Karabakh, it is
necessary to remember about Western Armenia as well. Whenever there
are discussions over the trilateral meeting with the participation of
the Azerbaijani Armenian and Turkish parties – an initiative that will
very probably be proposed by Turkey, the leaders of Turkey, Armenia
and Azerbaijan should openly introduce all the issues, using political
and civilized methods if, of course, that initiative is aimed at
revealing all the problems that separate the parties from one another.

If the Presidents are ready for that, it’s very good. If they have
trust for one another and really want stability, security and peace
in the region, let them have a meeting in the trilateral format and
put the issues on the table as a whole complex.

But to separate one section from the general complex and speak about
the unilateral return of the Azerbaijani refugees is, to my mind,
unacceptable.

We have hundreds and thousands of Armenian migrants, a great number
of Armenian communities, villages, settlements that are under the
control of Azerbaijan, i.e. seized by the country. It is necessary
to guarantee their return to their former places of residence. If
that isn’t done, it will mean that the common rights of Artsakh and
the Azerbaijani-Armenians are being ignored."

"What about the Armenian party’s attitude towards the regulation
of the Armenian-Turkish relations by opening the border and only
then holding an interstate discussion over the problematic issues,
including those which are most sensitive? Can’t they be discussed
within the frameworks of the talks?"

The border was unilaterally closed by Turkey. It is a violation of
international law, a manifestation of hostility. The re-opening of
the border which was unilaterally closed should not be viewed as a
subject of bargaining or a source of extorting additional concessions
from Armenia. Let them be kind enough to respect international law
and the same Kars Treaty adopted by Turkey and Russia for demarcating
the eastern border, and let them open the border in accordance with
the principles and norms of the same international law.

The opening of the border is certainly an essential issue, but I
repeat that it shouldn’t result from negotiations or bargaining. If
Turkey has closed the border, it should open it itself, without any
preconditions."

"According to some ‘predictions’, the Karabakh issue is, in principle,
resolved, and before the end of the year, Armenia and Azerbaijan
will have to sign an agreement without considering the opinion of
the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. They have even ‘decided’
that the historic event will take place in the United States. Is the
problem really close to its solution?"

"I don’t rule out the possibility that any activist, political
force or structure, whether represented in the pro-government or the
pro-opposition camp, may make such comment or have such desire. But
I say once again that I have my special opinion: the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict is impossible without the complex consideration
and solution of the issues. I consider that such complex of issues
is unlikely to find a solution within two months."