TIGRAN TOROSYAN: THE KARABAKH ISSUE DEMANDS PUTTING DOWN PARTISAN INTERESTS
Azg
Nov 29 2008
Armenia
Former parliamentary speaker and now independent MP Tigran Torosyan
spoke about Armenia’s national and foreign policy issues and possible
developments at the National Press Club yesterday [28 November].
Speaking about the Karabakh issue and new perception of the issue
within the last few weeks and the urgency of the settlement, Torosyan
said: "The latest developments are not connected with to the regular
settlement process of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict but with regional
developments. A new stage and developments in this direction began in
August – after the five-day Russian-Georgian war. In fact, Georgia
has ultimately focused on the USA which has created a new situation
in the region."
Speaking about the Moscow declaration [on Karabakh settlement signed
on 2 November by the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents]
Torosyan said that the document is rather directed to increase in
Russia’s role and weight. The circumstance that the declaration lacks
is a signature of a representative of Nagornyy Karabakh which made
Torosyan especially indignant and is extremely dangerous and can cause
serious problems later. "A document is signed on Nagornyy Karabakh,
a major side, the fate of which is being decided, is missing. This
indirectly means that the self-determination of Nagornyy Karabakh
has not been recognized," he said.
The Madrid principles on [the Karabakh settlement] are not clear to the
former member of the [ruling] Republican Party of Armenia. "In such
a case, not principles but the details are important. For instance,
why should Karabakh hold a new referendum, if it made a statement in
this regard previously in compliance with international norms. Also
who should ensure guaranteeing and carrying out of Karabakh’s right to
self-determination?," Torosyan said, mentioning the Kosovo example. He
believes that there are tens of such questions, which do not have
answers. However, the former parliament speaker believes the Madrid
principles are positive, considering them to be the continuation of
the Prague process where the right to self-determination is included
as a disciplinary element.
Torosyan said the public discussions on Karabakh settlement are
"harmless". "Nothing new was said during the meeting [the recent
discussions on Karabakh settlement with parties organized by the
Armenian president]. Everything that could have been said was said
many times long ago. Something that could not be said in public,
would not be said at a meeting with 50 parties," he said. [Passage
omitted: Torosyan said he was not involved in talks]