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ARTSAKH BORDERS NOT FOR BARGAIN
Ara K. Manoogian
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/comments22222.html
Published: 17:12:09 - 14/06/2011
As the date of the Kazan talks fast approaches, Armenian society
shows considerable concern over the outcome of the meeting between
Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev. The roadmap or the basic principles,
which the sides are expected to sign, are believed by the general
public to be unfavorable for Armenia. These fears have been kindled
particularly by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov's
recent statements that the sides have reached a common agreement on
the deployment of peacekeeping forces in the conflict zone, as well as
the return of certain regions. However, many political scientists in
Armenia consider it a habitual distortion of the reality or yet another
diplomatic trick intended for flirting with the Azerbaijani public.
At the latest meeting with the OSCE co-chairmen, on June 10, 2011,
Eduard Nalbandyan, Foreign Minister of Armenia, touched upon his
Azeri counterpart's misleading statements, qualifying his statements
as "distorting the essence of the negotiations" and "presenting
fabricated details."
Despite these assurances, the Armenian public has reasons for concern.
Not too long ago, Serzh Sargsyan, who has imposed himself on the
Armenian citizens as their country's president, declared publicly:
"Aghdam is not our fatherland." This statement was an unequivocal
announcement of readiness to cede some or all of the regions that
were outside the borders of the Soviet Artsakh but our under the
control of the Artsakh armed forces today. The failure to populate
those territories, as well as to create livable conditions for the
inhabitants to stay, is an indicator for the Armenian self-declared
president's inclination toward signing an unfavorable deal.
In this context, it is necessary that the Armenian public in Armenia
and Diaspora should speak out against the defeatist policies of
the Armenian authorities. All historical grounds aside, the current
borders of Artsakh are the most optimal for ensuring the security
of the republic and its population in the face of war-mongering
Azerbaijan. The position of the Artsakh front-line alone is an
important counterbalance to Azerbaijan's growing military and economic
superiority. With such strong borders, there's no need in deployment
of peacekeeping forces.
Ara K. Manoogian is a human rights activist representing the
Shahan Natalie Family Foundation in Artsakh and Armenia; a Fellow
of the Washington-based Policy Forum Armenia (PFA); creator of
www.thetruthmustbetold.com.
From: A. Papazian
Ara K. Manoogian
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/comments22222.html
Published: 17:12:09 - 14/06/2011
As the date of the Kazan talks fast approaches, Armenian society
shows considerable concern over the outcome of the meeting between
Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev. The roadmap or the basic principles,
which the sides are expected to sign, are believed by the general
public to be unfavorable for Armenia. These fears have been kindled
particularly by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov's
recent statements that the sides have reached a common agreement on
the deployment of peacekeeping forces in the conflict zone, as well as
the return of certain regions. However, many political scientists in
Armenia consider it a habitual distortion of the reality or yet another
diplomatic trick intended for flirting with the Azerbaijani public.
At the latest meeting with the OSCE co-chairmen, on June 10, 2011,
Eduard Nalbandyan, Foreign Minister of Armenia, touched upon his
Azeri counterpart's misleading statements, qualifying his statements
as "distorting the essence of the negotiations" and "presenting
fabricated details."
Despite these assurances, the Armenian public has reasons for concern.
Not too long ago, Serzh Sargsyan, who has imposed himself on the
Armenian citizens as their country's president, declared publicly:
"Aghdam is not our fatherland." This statement was an unequivocal
announcement of readiness to cede some or all of the regions that
were outside the borders of the Soviet Artsakh but our under the
control of the Artsakh armed forces today. The failure to populate
those territories, as well as to create livable conditions for the
inhabitants to stay, is an indicator for the Armenian self-declared
president's inclination toward signing an unfavorable deal.
In this context, it is necessary that the Armenian public in Armenia
and Diaspora should speak out against the defeatist policies of
the Armenian authorities. All historical grounds aside, the current
borders of Artsakh are the most optimal for ensuring the security
of the republic and its population in the face of war-mongering
Azerbaijan. The position of the Artsakh front-line alone is an
important counterbalance to Azerbaijan's growing military and economic
superiority. With such strong borders, there's no need in deployment
of peacekeeping forces.
Ara K. Manoogian is a human rights activist representing the
Shahan Natalie Family Foundation in Artsakh and Armenia; a Fellow
of the Washington-based Policy Forum Armenia (PFA); creator of
www.thetruthmustbetold.com.
From: A. Papazian