ROBERT KOCHARIAN: EVEN IN CASE OF THREAT OF WAR WE SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY CONCESSIONS
Noyan Tapan
April 4, 2008
YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s stability, development rates,
firmness are the best guarantees of firm positions in the issue of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and it is obvious that Azerbaijan made
an attempt to take advantage of Armenia’s home political situation
to influence the negotiations process. RA President Robert Kocharian
stated on March 4 adding that it should bind the Armenian side to be
much more resolute in issues of principle. "Certainly, there can be
no concession and change in approaches.
Just the contrary, in such cases one should answer only through
making strict the approaches," the RA President said explaining that
he means both Karabakh’s and Armenia’s steps.
R. Kocharian did not exclude recognition of NKR independence by
Armenia. "I think Azerbaijan’s position connected with the negotiations
process and the latest steps taken by that country just bind Armenia
to take more resolute steps in these issues. The nature of these steps
now, recognition of NKR’s independence, signing of defence sphere’s
agreement or others should be decided by the next President and next
government," he emphasized.
Touching upon the issue that such steps can cause a danger of war
resumption, the RA President said that there had been such situations
during the ten years of his tenure. "And if some harsh steps were
undertaken at that time, it is very probable that the negotiations
process would continue by a variant very unfavorable for Armenia,"
R. Kocharian said expressing an opinion that even in case of a threat
of a war we should not make any concessions.
He did not agree to the opinion of NKR President Bako Sahakian that
Armenia has made late recognition of NKR. According to R. Kocharian,
the Armenian authorities will always have such a possibility, and de
facto that recognition "exists long ago." The problem is to formalize
the recognition and to choose the moment of taking that step.