TIME, ON WHOSE SIDE DOES IT WORK IN KARABAKH CONFLICT
By Agavni Haroutiunian, Translated by A.M
AZG Armenian Daily #161
06/09/2007
Karabakh Issue
Political scientist from Armenia Agasi Yenoqian sees no perspectives
of progress in the process on Nagorno-Karabakh. The other invitee
of the discussion at "Mirror" club, Republican Party member Armen
Ashotian expressed a different point of view with a number of remarks.
First of all, the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh has no chance of
being seriously considered separately of international global
processes. Second, the settlement of the conflict for Nagorno-Karabakh
requires no precedents. Third, the independence of the Republic of
Nagorno-Karabakh has been recognized by almost all the participants
of the peace negotiations.
It is strange that Ashotian thinks that the time works for Karabakh,
its people and Armenia, while NKR, with its low development rates,
can hardly earn from prolongations in the peace process on Karabakh.
Referring to the principle of national self-determination and integrity
of state, Ashotian said that the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh is by no
means related with the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Yenoqian did nor agree with this and said that the international law
works only in case the forces of the sides are equal. Therefore, he
said, the international rights principles will work for the interests
of the side which proves stronger.
Yenoqian added that the time cannot work for Artsakh in present
conditions, as in 1988 the population of NKR counted 180 thousand
(of which Azeris made 20%) and nowadays it counts 50-60 thousand
people. "Good life conditions for a numerous Armenian population in
Karabakh are not provided at present, while settling the question of
the borders and the independence of Karabakh would ensure those life
conditions," he noted.
To Yenoqian’s figures Ashotian opposed, stating that the Armenian
population of Karabakh makes at present 100 thousand people, saying
nothing of the 20 thousand military corpse. Nevertheless he admitted
that those numbers are nothing to be proud with.
He also said that Azerbaijan has lost the chance of implementing
independent policy on Nagorno-Karabakh due to its oil deals. On the
contrary, Yenoqian stated that oil brings great profits to Azerbaijan,
while Armenia has stalemated itself by clinging to Russia’s interests.
"The whole foreign policy of Armenia, as well as the economy, depends
on Russia," said Enoqian.
Discussions of the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh on any level are
important, but if it is becoming a theme for insinuations and sophism
the national interests of the Armenian people suffers greatly. In
any case we should always remember that despite of all its defects
the propaganda machine of Azerbaijan is still at work and does
not miss a single chance do defame the international authority of
Armenia. Revising once again all the arguments we are finally coming
to conclusion that the time works for the eternity, and not any of
the sides.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
