MOSISIAN: THE LIBERATED TERRITORIES CANNOT BE RETURNED
By H. Shindian
Yerkir.am
August 25, 2006
Below are the answers by Artur Mosisian, representative of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee of Artsakh,
to the newspaper Aparazh, published in Stepanakert.
Question: The draft constitution of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has
been submitted to the National Assembly. What are the ARF’s proposals
in regard with constitution?
Artur Mosisian: After the constitution was submitted to the National
Assembly, the ARF-Movement 88 faction of the parliament has made many
proposals. In September or October, the Artsakh organization of the ARF
will make its proposals and views. Presently, I would like to speak of
one specific proposal we have made – the issue of liberated territories
that has not been included in the constitution. We have recommended
that the National Assembly accept this proposal and the liberated
territories be included in the final text of the constitution.
Q: The recent interview by the ARF Political Affairs and Hay Dat
Office Director Kiro Manoyan on the Karabakh settlement caused various
comments in the media. How would you comment on this matter?
A. M.: First, I would like to say that some media outlets have
wrongly understood and commented on what Manoyan said. I would
like to especially mention the Lragir which has distorted Manoyan’s
words. What Manoyan said was that unlike many others the ARF considers
that by maintaining stability the Karabakh conflict will be settled. As
for the liberated territories, the ARF believes that they cannot be
returned. We have said this on numerous occasions unlike others who
have adopted an uncertain position.
Q: The international forces seem to seek a settlement by the end of
2006, and their intention to deploy peacekeeping forces in the region
looks especially odd. What is your opinion?
A. M.: I don’t believe the Karabakh issue would be finally settled by
the end of 2006; I am saying this because of several reasons. First
of all, the belligerent statements of the Azerbaijani leadership, and
also the present political situation do not contribute to the peaceful
settlement of the conflict soon. I think some superpowers are more
interested in deployment of peacekeepers in Karabakh than the final
settlement of the conflict. We should not have an illusion. After
all, we know very well that peacekeepers are not able to guarantee
our security – the best example is Lebanon where the international
forces did nothing to stop the disaster. As we have said many times,
and I would like to emphasize it again, the best guarantee of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s security is the Defense Army which has
ensured fragile but real peace.