IF AZERBAIJAN CONTINUES THREATS, ARMENIA SHOULD RECOGNIZE KARABAKH, SAYS MANOYAN
ARF Press Office
Monday, October 20, 2008
YEREVAN (ARF Press Office)–Armenian Revolutionary Federation
political director, Giro Manoyan, told a press conference Monday that
if Azerbaijan continues its threats of military aggression Armenia
will have no other choice but to recognize the independence of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Manoyan also reiterated the ARF’s ongoing position that Karabakh cannot
be part of Azerbaijan, adding that the liberated territories should
not be returned. He said the compromise in such a scenario would be
"peace."
The ARF leader expanded his explanation by saying that unlike the
policies of the first president of Armenia, it has become very clear
in the last 10 years that Karabakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan. This
reality, he explained, is also a critical issue recognized by the
OSCE Minsk Group whose leaders, while discussing the territorial
integrity principle, also underscore the importance of the right to
self-determination of peoples.
"The OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries are not announcing that
the Karabakh conflict will be resolved by returning Karabakh to
Azerbaijan. This approach indicates that they have understood the
impossibility of such an option," said Manoyan.
The ARF representative, once again, asserted that Turkey cannot take
part in the OSCE Minsk Group since it is a party to the20conflict
and has been an ardent defender of Azerbaijan.
Manoyan also added that he did not foresee a resolution to the conflict
by the end of the year, citing various factors, among them the upcoming
presidential elections in the US. He also added that last week’s
elections in Azerbaijan demonstrated that Ilham Aliyev is not dependent
on any political force in Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
In this regard, Manoyan said that all political forces in Armenia must
play a role in the conflict resolution process by clearly articulating
their position on the matter and emphasized the need for Karabakh to
return to the negotiating table as a party to the conflict.