M. Gorbachev: Now It’s Impossible To See Karabakh As Part Of Azerbai

M. GORBACHEV: NOW IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE KARABAKH AS PART OF AZERBAIJAN

Panorama.am
15:11 06/03/2010

Politics

"I suggested granting Karabakh a status of a republic. Azerbaijan’s
former authorities – Vezirov – seemed to be inclined to agree, but
later he didn’t. The problem might have been possible to solve then,
but now it’s impossible to see Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan,"
the USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev told reporters in Moscow.

He highlighted the bellicose statements and urged not to allow a new
war in Karabakh: talks should be held.

"There is no other way out. War should be excluded, otherwise big
powers will be involved in it, too," Gorbachev said.

He stressed the conflicts like Karabakh have no winners generally,
agreement should have been reached and still "in late 80ies we could
have somehow settled Karabakh issue."

Gorbachev recalled the grave condition Karabakh was in in 1980ies,
though, the authorities paid no attention to it, even the communication
with Yerevan was impossible due to the lack of economic means.

"To, me Karabakh should have been supported and grated a status. It
should have been supported economically so that contact with Yerevan
could be established," M. Gorbachev said.