NKR President: Tradition Of Power’s Civilized Delegation Should Be E

NKR PRESIDENT: TRADITION OF POWER’S CIVILIZED DELEGATION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN KARABAGH

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 10 2007

The Nagorno-Karabagh Republic President Arkady Ghoukassian stated
after tendering the President’s resignations he would stay in the
Nagorno-Karabagh and help the next President and government, if
necessary, Arkady Ghoukassian stated at a meeting with professorial
staff and students of the Artsakh State University held March 7,
DE FACTO own correspondent in Stepanakert reports.

Arkady Ghoukassian noted the NKR Constitution gave him legal basis
to seek the third term; however, moral side was more important for him.

"New traditions should be established in Karabagh, first of all the
power’s civilized delegation", the President underscored. He stated
he had decided not to seek the third term long ago, as "some things
cannot be overstepped".

Arkady Ghoukassian refrained from answering a question concerning
his political successor, noting the people were to choose. "Sure,
I have my own sympathies and antipathies, however, there will not be
a successor, there will be policy’s succession", the NKR head stated.

In this connection Arkady Ghoukassian underscored the course targeted
at the development of democracy in Nagorno-Karabagh should be resumed,
noting, "the international community can recognize only democratic
NKR". In his words, Nagorno-Karabagh was on the verge of dictatorship
not long ago, but they managed to build a state, where "a man lives
freely, without fear". He remarked Nagorno-Karabagh should not be
compared with Azerbaijan, where power passes from a father to his
son. "Democracy and Azerbaijan are antagonists. We have no right to
be compared with Azerbaijan, we should attain to the level of the
European countries", the NKR head said.

Speaking of the Karabagh conflict settlement process, Arkady
Ghoukassian stated Nagorno-Karabagh was ready for compromises,
which, however, cannot touch its basic principles, first of all
independence. "We know what we can concede and what we cannot, however,
brackets should not be opened in diplomacy", the President said. In
his words, "a political decision assumes a compromise, however,
if it will prejudice our interest, we’ll not meet half-way".