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OSKANIAN REACTS TO PRESIDENT'S STRASBOURG STATEMENT
Northern Ave
Foundation
In the President's speech in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly, and especially in the questions and answers
that followed, there were many misrepresentations, but three in
particular must be disowned by the administration.
First, to claim that Armenia has not recognized the independence
of Karabakh because Armenia accepts the principle of territorial
integrity is to misrepresent Armenia's position of the last 20 years,
including his own years.
For two decades, Armenia has not recognized the independence of
Karabakh specifically in order not to predetermine the outcome of
the negotiations process. If Azerbaijan were to pull out of those
negotiations, or attempt to use force, then the Republic of Armenia
would recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.
That has been the policy of the Armenian Republic, through three
administrations. Thus, the President's interpretation requires
retraction especially because nowhere else in his prepared remarks is
there anything that in any way presents the official position itself.
Second, the principles of non-use of force, territorial integrity
and self-determination, which the President listed as the Madrid
principles are in fact the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and
serve as the guiding philosophy for any conflict, including this one.
Over the years, principles, which number more than three and are
specific to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have been
developed. They have come to be known as the Madrid principles. As
far as I know, even if the Madrid Document has been revised, the
principles remain the same. First among the Madrid principles has
been the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination.
Third, after two military victories, Armenians have adhered to
the negotiation process, because we have believed that there is no
military solution to this conflict, and not because the Azerbaijani
side has an advantage.
A peaceful resolution remains Armenians' goal -- a resolution
that is based on solid, lasting principles. In the run-up to and
in Kazan, the Armenian position must be clearly and forcefully
rectified. This struggle was and continues to be about Karabakh's
right to self-determination, first and foremost.
Northern Ave
Foundation
In the President's speech in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly, and especially in the questions and answers
that followed, there were many misrepresentations, but three in
particular must be disowned by the administration.
First, to claim that Armenia has not recognized the independence
of Karabakh because Armenia accepts the principle of territorial
integrity is to misrepresent Armenia's position of the last 20 years,
including his own years.
For two decades, Armenia has not recognized the independence of
Karabakh specifically in order not to predetermine the outcome of
the negotiations process. If Azerbaijan were to pull out of those
negotiations, or attempt to use force, then the Republic of Armenia
would recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.
That has been the policy of the Armenian Republic, through three
administrations. Thus, the President's interpretation requires
retraction especially because nowhere else in his prepared remarks is
there anything that in any way presents the official position itself.
Second, the principles of non-use of force, territorial integrity
and self-determination, which the President listed as the Madrid
principles are in fact the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and
serve as the guiding philosophy for any conflict, including this one.
Over the years, principles, which number more than three and are
specific to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have been
developed. They have come to be known as the Madrid principles. As
far as I know, even if the Madrid Document has been revised, the
principles remain the same. First among the Madrid principles has
been the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination.
Third, after two military victories, Armenians have adhered to
the negotiation process, because we have believed that there is no
military solution to this conflict, and not because the Azerbaijani
side has an advantage.
A peaceful resolution remains Armenians' goal -- a resolution
that is based on solid, lasting principles. In the run-up to and
in Kazan, the Armenian position must be clearly and forcefully
rectified. This struggle was and continues to be about Karabakh's
right to self-determination, first and foremost.