AZERBAIJANI MP: RESOLUTION OF PROTRACTED NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL ONLY BENEFIT ARMENIA
Z. Ahmadov

Today
2796.html
March 1 2010
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with member of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis
(parliament) Azay Guliyev.

Many experts argue that some forces in Armenia have much more
constructive approach to the Karabakh problem than the ruling circles.

Do you share this view?

It’s true. Some political parties and NGOs in Armenia do not share the
authorities’ approach to the Karabakh problem. They understand that
Armenia has occupied Azerbaijani lands and Azerbaijan will never
accept loss of its territories. Therefore, they strongly oppose
political line pursued by the Armenian authorities and understand
its futility. But Armenia’s police regime does not allow voices of
"disgruntled" to be heard at full. I think that if there was secret
and fair vote on the Karabakh issue in Armenia, quite many disgruntled
people would be able to express their views.

There are mothers in Armenia, too, who do not want their children
to be killed in a war. That is why all "disgruntled" in Armenia
must quickly show themselves, and, finally, resolve this protracted
problem. Armenia will only benefit from this.

In your opinion, may these forces come to power one day?

There are two problems in this regard. The first is a police regime
in Yerevan who does not want to hand over the power to anyone. The
second is that Armenia is not actually an independent state. As shown
by well-known events in the Armenian parliament in the 1990s, this
country’s policies are largely controlled by external forces. So,
change of power in Armenia is not very realistic at the moment.

But this is not important for Baku. The main thing for us is that
Armenia understands that its mythical desire to form "Great Armenia
from sea to sea" is a utopia. Azerbaijan will never reconcile with
the loss of its territories.

In your view, are the Zurich Protocols likely to be ratified with
reservations made by the Armenian Constitutional Court before Turkey
does so?

I think that this option is quite possible and will mean end of the
Zurich process. Turkey will never agree to accept the protocols in
a form amended by the Armenian Constitutional Court. Therefore, it
is another ploy of Armenia’s policy prior to the "Armenian genocide"
discussions in the U.S. Congress.

It should also be noted that Armenia has adopted a law on country’s
withdrawal from international treaties. Thus, Yerevan wants to insure
itself against the unfavorable situation. In any case, I believe that
Turkey has made a mistake at the very beginning. Turkey should not
have signed the Zurich accords.