MELIKYAN: KARABAKH NOT A PRICE TO PAY FOR RECONCILIATION

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 2 2009
Armenia

Arman Melikyan, NKR Former Foreign Minister and Former
Presidential Candidate, called the issued Protocols an "intriguing
progress". Meanwhile authorities try to regard the recent developments
as a victory for Armenian side, one should not prematurely "kick up
heels or get the blues".

The current process is nothing but ratification of Kars
treaty. Melikyan stated that logical continuation of Armenian-Turkish
border will be withdrawal of Russian troops from Armenia. It is not
surprising, as Russia welcomes the bilateral efforts to normalize
bilateral relations.

Asked to comment on Karabakh problem in the context of Armenian-Turkish
relations, Mekiyan said: "Karabakh should not be a price to pay for
these relations." He supposes Azerbaijani side will do anything
to hinder the process, but it changes nothing. According to him,
there are scenarios to Karabakh conflict resolution. Whatever seemed
impossible yesterday is possible today. Melikyan underlined that war
can resume any time.