SAMVEL FARMANIAN: STATEMENTS OF AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ONCE AGAIN BEAR EVIDENCE OF AZERBAIJAN’S NONCONSTRUCTIVE POSITION

NOYAN TAPAN
NOVEMBER 23, 2009
YEREVAN

At the request of the Armenpress agency, the spokesman for the Armenian
president Samvel Farmanian has commented on the latest developments
regarding the Karabakh conflict settlement. Below is S. Farmanian’s
interview submitted by the RA presidential press service.

"Question: The day before the Munich meeting, the Azerbaijani president
made yet another belligerent statement, in which he in fact threatened
with war. What will Armenia do if the tension ralating to the Karabakh
problem really increases?

Answer: We have already had an occasion to note that although such
statements are made for the domestic audience, at the same time they
hardly create a favorable atmosphere for the negotiation process on
the conflict resolution. The sattements of the Azerbaijani president
once again bear evidence of Azerbaijan’s nonconstructive position.

An increase of tension over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is
certainly the most undesirable outcome. It would be undesirable
not only for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, but also for the whole
region. The Republic of Armenia cannot be indifferent to the fate
of the Karabakh people, and for that reason the Armenian president
and other high-ranking officials have repeatedly stated that we
are responsible for the security of the Karabakh people. There
are accepted forms in the world: in case of such developments, for
example, the Republic of Armenia may recognize the independence of
Nagorno Karabakh, with all the stemming consequences. Secondly, the
Republic of Armenia may sign an agreement on mutual assistance with
Nagorno Karabakh. There are various options, and I am sure that the
Republic of Armenia will use one of these options or all of them at
once. It should be mentioned that so far the Republic of Armenia has
not recognized the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic only
because it would become an obstacle to the peaceful negotiations. But
if the peaceful negotiations are interrupted and hostilities start,
then nothing will prevent the Republic of Armenia from recognizing
Nagorno Karabakh’s independence.

However, the reality today is the negotiation process is going on.

Armenia has always stated that it does not see any alternative to
the peaceful solution of the problem. Armenia believes that it is
possible to achieve a peaceful and comprehensive resolution of the
problem through negotiations.

Question: Following the Munich meeting some Azerbaijani mass media
reported that it was allegedly said at the Munich meeting that by
late 2009 the Armenians might leave the Kelbajar region, which would
allow Turkey to ratify the Armenia-Turkey protocols and it would also
make Azerbaijan mitigate its position on the issue of the Karabakh
conflict settlement. How much does it correspond to reality?

Answer: In Armenia, we have already become used to the fact that
after each meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, some
"well-informed" sources spread information about discussions and
agreements which do not exist in reality. This is sheer disinformation
and has no relation to reality. No such issue is being dicusssed,
therefore no such agreement could be signed. It has been repeatedly
said that the core of the discussions and negotiations on the Karabakh
conflict is the issue of Nagorno Karabakh’s status. The other issues
are derivative".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress