SAMVEL FARMANYAN: AZERI "RELIABLE SOURCES" PROVIDE MISINFORMATION

news.am
Nov 23 2009
Armenia

Although the Azerbaijani President’s warlike statements are mostly
intended for his compatriots, they affect the negotiation process
and are one more proof of Azerbaijan’s non-constructive position,
Samvel Famanyan, RA Presidential Spokesman told reporters, commenting
on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent statement.

He stressed that escalating the situation will affect not only
Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, but also the entire region. "But Armenia
cannot be indifferent to Nagorno-Karabakh’s fate. Therefore, both the
Armenian President and other officials have repeatedly stated their
responsibility for the Karabakh people. In case of such developments,
many options are available, and one of them is the recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia with all the ensuing consequences. Or
Armenia may sign a mutual assistance agreement with Nagorno-Karabakh.

Numerous options are available, and I am sure that Armenia will take
one or several of them," Farmanyan said. He stressed that Armenia has
not yet recognized the NKR’s independence for the only reason that
it might affect the negotiation process. Farmanyan said that nothing
will prevent Armenia from recognizing the NKR in case the negotiations
break down and hostilities resume. "But the negotiations are going
on, and Armenian has repeatedly stated it sees no alternative to a
peaceful settlement of the conflict. Official Yerevan is sure that
a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the problem is possible by
means of negotiations," Farmanyan said.

As regards Azeri mass media’s reports that at their Munich meeting
the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders discussed the return to
the Kelbajar region to Azerbaijan before the end of this year,
which would facilitate the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish
protocols by Turkey and prompt Azerbaijan to take a softer line on the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. "We are accustomed to Azeri media reports
‘from most reliable sources’ on what never really takes place, which
follow each Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting. It is mere
misinformation. This issue was not at all discussed, so there may be
no agreement. It has been repeatedly stressed that Nagorno-Karabakh’s
status is a central issue, with other proceeding from it," Farmanyan
said.